SURREY

Working with beautiful site overlooking Wentworth golf course and surrounded by mature trees, the client desired a house that would suit his growing family and incorporate some of the California lifestyle he had grown to love while living in Los Angeles. The design of the home is for approximately 12,000 square feet in addition to a pool and guest house. The main house would consist of two stories over basement but make allowances for the different weather conditions in Southern England. Due to local planning codes, a substantial portion of the home would need to be in the basement. In addition, the client wanted a large garage to accommodate a collection of cars with the ability to display some of them on a rotating car turn table.

To bring natural light into the basement, two light wells were designed to accommodate the programmatic requirements for the basement. One light well was located in the side yard to provide light to a guest room and indoor swimming pool, while the primary light well would be central to the house and located such that the entry was reached across a bridge, a feature that we have found to be successful in many of our projects. A glazed three level staircase visible from the entry motor court flanks and crossing the bridge. Upon entry to the home, the view is revealed though double height glazing in the entry hall. To the north is the library and study for the owner. To the south of the entry hall opens to a formal living and dining area with a family room and kitchen overlooking the terrace to the garden beyond. The terrace flows to the south and west and a half flight of stairs descends to the pool and detached pool house.

The upper level of the home includes of four bedrooms including the main bedroom. The basement incorporates a gym and wellness area in addition to an indoor swimming pool , family room, wine cellar and a game room, all of which make the most of the available light from the adjacent courtyard. A stair to the northern side yard provides direct access to a guest or staff room and allows for the indoor swimming pool to be serviced without having to enter the house itself. Although the home makes extensive use of glazing, we incorporated more fixed glass than we usually do in warmer climates. The intention of the house from the beginning was to celebrate the connection to the surrounding mature trees, lush landscape and to be a backdrop for observing the passing of the seasons in England.

The palette of the home combines a modern take on the local brick façade vernacular, climate resistant wood soffits inspired by the California contemporary style, and black metal window trim and accents to provide contrast to the subtle light and warm tones of the stone and wood.