Overlooking Bakewell in Derbyshire are two strikingly contemporary houses created by Lathams as part of the innovative redevelopment of Castle Hill House.
Lathams was asked to develop proposals for the conversion of the Grade II listed building (situated within both a Local Conservation area and a National Park) with enabling works to include the demolition of a derelict 1960s building and its replacement with new homes.
Starting with the main house and stable buildings, seven separate mews type houses were intricately puzzled into rooms and levels, creating a secluded group of dwellings occupying the most significant original architecture.
The two new houses were conceived as three planes stepped into the hillside. The lower plane is clad in Derbyshire stone and effectively continues an existing garden wall into the plinth of the new buildings. Above this plinth is a terrace, and behind that a glazed wrapped facade, providing the principal double height living space in the homes. Rising through this plane is a simple wide linear staircase, opening to a central top-lit atrium. This broad stone flight gives to the third single-storey plane of bedrooms, bathrooms and dressing spaces.
Taking advantage of the site’s topography, the new houses are substantially earth-sheltered, and feature a sedum roof.
