Edge Hill

A hardwood screen wraps a precast concrete structure in a Northumberland house by Sutherland Hussey Harris

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Sutherland Hussey Harris

Edge Hill by Sutherland Hussey Harris occupies a deep linear plot at the edge of the exclusive Darras Hall Estate in Ponteland, Northumberland. The estate is 12 kilometres north-west of Newcastle uopn Tyne, it’s confines limited and set by land granted in trust to the Darras Hall Committee. Plot sizes and ratios are strictly controlled, with by-laws preserving open spaces and forbidding industry or commercial buildings within the village. As a result, most residents live in an original 1960s or 70s house, or have bought a plot, demolished the existing dwelling, and built a new house. The Edge Hill site was previously occupied by a poor quality post-war bungalow, and was chosen for redevelopment for its privacy and mature garden.

Open plan living space

The house is conceived as simple, rectilinear,precast concrete structure with large triple-glazed windows at the ends and a mono pitchzinc roof. An FSC-approved, thermally-treated hardwood timber screen wraps the exterior, allowing daylight into the heart of plan while enhancing privacy.

Articulated by a generous triple-height hall, the main living spaces are located on the ground floor. The floor plane steps down from front-to-back, gradually increasing the floor-to-ceiling height, and maximising the views from the main open- plan living space. Four double bedrooms are located on the first floor, each with access to full-width terraces at the front and rear. The side walls are blinkered by a continuation of the timber screen. An office space in the pitched roof attic provides views to the north and west across the sedum roof. The latter controls rainwater run-off while increasing biodiversity.