Designing a Contemporary Home Within the Lake District Landscape
The architecture of Speckled Wood is closely connected to its topography, geology and natural setting. The residence takes its name and inspiration from the indigenous Speckled Wood butterfly, reflecting the relationship between the property and its surroundings. Over 2,500 tonnes of limestone and topsoil excavated from the site were retained and reused for structural fill, retaining walls, pathways, landscaping and external cladding, helping the building appear to emerge from the hillside.
The house is arranged as two connected volumes, comprising a limestone clad main residence and a detached charred timber garage linked by a glazed entrance passage and courtyard. The property steps down the sloping site, with deep eaves providing protection from Cumbria’s wet climate. The glazing needed to maximise views and daylight while responding to the scale of the architecture, the exposed rural setting and the high performance requirements of the home.
“The key consideration in selecting our glazing was achieving the right balance of cost with the required quality across the project’s varied glazing conditions. IQ Glass helped us navigate the options from concept through to detailed design proposals, with valuable support and aftercare throughout.” Joseph Bamber Design
Slim Sliding Glass Doors Framing Lake District Views
IQ Glass supplied slim sliding glass door systems across the property, connecting the main living spaces and bedrooms with the surrounding landscape. The largest is an 8.3m wide bi-parting system across the kitchen and dining space, with four sliding panels creating a wide opening onto the terrace.
Further two panel sliding systems were installed within the living room, studio, second bedroom and bathroom. In the master bedroom, a sliding glass door arrangement measuring approximately 4.3m wide by 2.6m high meets a glazed corner connection and leads directly onto the balcony. The corner panel slides discreetly into a pocket recessed within the wall, creating an open corner and a less interrupted connection to the landscape.
The aluminium frames are finished in RAL 7021 Black Grey Matt with a marine grade coating, providing long term durability and a consistent dark finish against the limestone, slate and charred timber exterior.
Aluminium Windows and a Glazed Entrance Link
Slim aluminium framed casement windows were installed in fixed and side hung configurations throughout the house. Set within the natural limestone faced walls, the dark frames provide a restrained contrast against the stone, with sandblasted glazing used where additional privacy was required.
The main residence and detached garage are connected by a glazed entrance link, with slim aluminium framed windows extending along both sides. One elevation spans approximately 5.3m and comprises three silicone jointed panes, maintaining views through to the surrounding landscape.
A large inward opening Apertio pivot door, finished in Tinto Wenge Oak, creates a distinctive entrance within the glazed link and adds warmth against the surrounding glass. A large fixed viewing window was also installed within the garage, introducing natural light and providing views into the space.
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