Premier Construction

Owers House

Owers House
Written by Roma Publications

The Owers House

 Owers House

Located in Feock, Cornwall, The Owers House is a two storey, four bedroom house, accessed via a steep and narrow approach road. The house is planned around enviable views across the Fal Estuary and required bold architecture to properly exploit those views.

The design of the house takes a cue from Creek Vean, a Grade II listed house designed by Norman Foster and Richard Rogers in the 1960s, in splitting the house into two distinctive elements – a bedroom/study wing that sits along the contours, and a living wing that runs against the slope. A bridge provides access into a glazed hallway between these two forms. The living room wing projects out into the site in a dramatic cantilever above the dropping site – so that the living room gains fabulous views out across the estuary.

Blue-black timber clad upper floors sit on a blond brick base. As you enter the house onto the first floor stair landing, a fully glazed double height wall pulls the viewers gaze downwards and out to the terraced garden. The entrance hall is double height separating bedrooms and studies in the main block from the living space.

Work on the project began in February 2013 and was completed in December 2014. The main contractors on the project were P. Chapman Construction Ltd and the architects were John Pardey Architects (JPA).

Speaking about working on the project, John Pardey from JPA said: “Every project is extremely important to us. The old adage that your last project is the most important is always true.”

Since its completion the project has gone on to win a RIBA South West award 2016. The project was short listed along with 15 other projects after a total of 49 nominations were received.

For 50 years the RIBA Awards and prizes have championed and celebrated the best architecture in the UK and around the world, no matter the form; size or budget. Successful projects reflect changes and innovation in architecture, but at their core display a commitment to designing and developing buildings and spaces for the improvement and enhancement of people’s lives.
Commenting on picking up the award, John said: “It is nice to win awards, but it is more important to have a happy client.”

Owers House

AAB

AAB specialise in the import of clay-facing bricks, supplying the market with complementary, innovative and unique options to UK supplied bricks. AAB are the UK division of Risjwaard Baksteen, the leading Dutch brick producer, as well as the import partner to Daas Baksteen, Egernsund Tegl and Celina Klinker.

AAB have operated in the UK for more than 20 years and within this time have expanded to several import depots, providing coverage to all of the UK and Ireland. AAB work with the whole supply chain from design to delivery, ensuring the correct brick is specified to achieve the required appearance and also successfully delivered to site.

AAB have been involved in award-winning projects such as Hanover Square, Graham Park, The Hartley Botanic Garden (RHS Chelsea Flower Show) and most recently, Owers House.

Jonathan Plews, Managing Director of AAB, said:

“The overall number of bricks supplied was small for a project of this size, but it really interested us as the design was unique, using bricks both internally and externally to contrast with other building materials.”

Jonathan added:

“We pride ourselves on our ability to offer unique ranges, giving architects a broader choice than UK manufactures. Delivery, quality and communication are key for us.”

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Roma Publications