In the heart of the Chiltern Hills, nestled under ancient beech trees, a new home is taking shape.

Stefan Shaw Studio are developing proposals for this Paragraph 80 (formerly paragraph79) home. Of exceptional quality, and reflecting the highest standards of architecture, the building is conceived as a part of the undulating landscape, mindful of its impact upon people, context, and the planet.

Stefan Shaw Studio believe that the best architecture is rooted in place, and as such the designs for the new home draw inspiration from the local landscape as well as from the tradition of the English country house.

The new home has been conceived as a series of interlocking living spaces, organised to respond to the sun throughout the day, moving through these spaces, glimpses of the ever-changing wider landscape are gained.

Inspired by the chalk strata which sit below the Chilterns, rammed concrete is proposed for the exposed structure of the walls. This robust low-maintenance material also provides a large amount of thermal mass, passively regulating the building’s internal environment. The use of beech timber and clay plaster ensure that internally the building feels connected to the landscape that inspired it.

The building sits softly in its landscape, interventions are carefully considered to increase biodiversity while conserving the special character of the site. A wildflower meadow crossed by meandering paths of crushed chalk and permeable bound gravel is cultivated, lost hedgerows are re-introduced and a new pond and copse of native trees are proposed.

The house has been designed to Passivhaus principles, aiming to reduce energy wastage by ensuring solar gain is carefully controlled throughout the changing seasons, as well as by ensuring airtightness and reduced heat loss using high-performance insulation and glazing throughout.

The proposal includes air and ground source heating, solar power generation, and battery storage to reduce the amount of energy drawn from the wider grid, toward the construction of a net zero carbon building.

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