CHALK RIVER HOUSE
Sitting on the bank of the River Test, Chalk River House occupies a privileged, idyllic position. The small, rural village of Houghton is a short walk down the winding, tree-lined road, while the clear waters of the famous chalk stream flow just along the edge of the clients’ rolling garden. This immediate proximity of the river grants the family river access and fishing rights, a rare opportunity afforded few houses along the Test.
Our clients – a family of four who love the outdoors and fishing – moved to the village and fell in love with the property, its connection to the river and panoramic view. They engaged us to design their forever home. It needed to be flexible for all stages of life as they and their children grew older. They wanted a light, calm home that maximised vistas and had interlinked spaces – inside and outside – for entertaining family and friends.
On visiting the site, we were struck by the beauty and charm of the bucolic property. We designed a home that balanced traditional and contemporary architecture and offered calm, relaxing and light-filled spaces. Built with natural and handmade materials that will patina and age, Chalk River House will be as picturesque in 100 years’ time as it is today.
The house is split into three distinct volumes – a two-storey front building at the front, a two-storey rear building and a single-storey pavilion. A view corridor connecting the volumes extends from the front door to draw the eye towards the river. Drawing inspiration from the local vernacular, the front of the house is more traditional, with pitched roofs, dormer windows and lime render. The rear of the house is contemporary, with a long, flat roof and large expanses of glazing.
The kitchen, dining and living spaces are on the ground floor and flow out to the terrace, garden and swimming pool. Bedrooms are upstairs, where the pitched ceiling is gently curved, enhancing the volume and spaciousness. Two courtyards – one with a kitchen garden, and the other ornamental, full of plants with colour and texture – are nestled between the volumes to provide rooms with a triple aspect and river views through the house. Light filters inside from all directions, including a rooflight that floods the stairwell with natural light and serves surrounding rooms and circulation spaces. Generous outdoor living spaces include an outdoor fire, kitchen and barbeque area. Making the most of the riverfront location, the stream water is used to heat the house via a heat pump.
We selected the material palette to match tonally and weather beautifully, choosing exterior materials that are handmade, natural or local to the area. The limestone flooring, from the Isle of Purbeck, embeds the house in its site, and handmade roman bricks with flush lime pointing create a monolithic, textural base and chimney. Lime render carries the marks of the maker and has a mottled effect, while zinc shingles cast a pattern and patina across the roof.
Pre-weathered Siberian Larch timber will gradually grey, and adds a lightness to the heavier masonry allowing the strong horizontal line of the stone fascia to appear to float above. The interior is calm and contemporary, with soft, light, simple spaces that amplify the riverside view. Off-white clay plaster walls have warmth and patina, and all touchpoints, such as door handles, flooring and a recurring fluted motif, have a sense of tactility to enrich the experience of the house.
Designed with sensitivity to the magical setting, Chalk River House settles into its pastoral surroundings. The beautifully crafted home, with a play of texture and light inside and out, provides calm, relaxing spaces for the family to enjoy their rural, riverside lifestyle.
