Paul Archer Design

Situated in a spectacular green belt location with views out over the Severn Estuary, Green Orchard is a striking contemporary zero-carbon home. The property benefits from a tranquil, private location, with mature landscaped surroundings, completely screening the building from neighbouring properties.

The arrangement of the interior spaces is split over two levels with the lower level sunk into the ground, thus creating the appearance of a much smaller dwelling. The primary living spaces are located on the upper floor, allowing the most frequently used spaces to enjoy plenty of natural light. The open-plan configuration wraps around the central zone of the building which contains the practical service areas, so as to ensure each of the living spaces benefits from views out of the large glazing panels to connect the property to its surroundings. To further enrich this connection, two external terraces are purposefully positioned to catch the sun at varying times of the day.

The skin of the building comprises walls of sliding panels that can be slid into different configurations. The panels are reflective yet matte so that the structure becomes almost invisible in the landscape as it subtly mirrors the colours of the surrounding landscape. As the brief asked to prioritise sustainable living, the panels are heavily insulated, allowing the occupants to vary the thermal performance of the home throughout the seasons. Beneath the building’s exterior, the large glazing can be screened with full-height mesh panels, to provide shading, privacy, and security.