Rothbury, Northumberland New Build House
Richard and Ros purchased the site in the picturesque Northumberland town of Rothbury, with the vision of creating a unique, modern, and sustainable home. Their aim was to design a space that not only provided a comfortable and enjoyable living environment, but also maximised the breathtaking views across the rolling hillsides of the Northumberland countryside.
Project Type: New Build
Project Profile: Single new build house located on the hillside of Rothbury in Northumberland
Location: Rothbury, Northumberland
Build Time: 14 months
The project brief focused on delivering a sustainable home that significantly reduces energy consumption, without compromising on comfort, enjoyment, or long-term wellbeing for Richard, Ros, and future generations.
Set in an elevated position on the site, the home was designed to maximise the panoramic views to the east, south, and west, while flooding the interior with natural daylight, a principle that guided the overall layout and form of the building.
Sustainability was embedded in every stage of the design and construction process, from adopting the latest building methodologies to integrating renewable energy systems. The house is built using a highly insulated and airtight SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) structure, combined with modern technologies including MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery), an Air Source Heat Pump, and a stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) array. Together, these elements enabled the property to achieve an impressive 97% EPC A SAP rating.
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Selection of views
The proposed house has been located to the top of the site to maximise the great views. The house has been cut into the top of the slope with a retaining wall holding and sculpting the land back. All earth is to be retained and sculpted onsite to form a free flowing garden following the natural topography.
Click Through Gallery
Key Design Feature
The design aim for the house was to deliver not only a sustainable home, but a striking, one-of-a-kind residence that Richard and Ros could enjoy and be proud to live in. Attention to detail, both externally and internally, was a key part of the brief resulting in thoughtful features such as the dramatic overhanging roof, a bespoke staircase, and a curved kitchen, all brought together with carefully selected high-quality materials.
This unique home was the result of a truly collaborative process between Richard and Ros, Model Projects (Architectural Designers), Smailes Construction (Main Contractors), Clay SIPS, and all the other contributors involved in this exceptional project. The site itself presented a number of challenges from its elevated position at the top of a hill, to the construction of a 4-metre-high retaining wall carved into the Northumberland hillside requiring careful planning and coordination throughout.
From the outset, Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) were chosen to form the highly efficient, airtight building fabric. This decision laid the foundation for the project’s sustainability strategy. Various glazing and microgeneration technologies were then explored, ultimately integrating MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery), an Air Source Heat Pump, and a photovoltaic (PV) solar array. Together with the airtight SIP structure, these measures enabled the home to achieve an exceptional EPC rating of 97% A all within a contemporary design that maximises natural light and panoramic views.
The use of SIPs also supported the architectural ambition of the project. Working closely with Clay SIPS and the structural engineers, we overcame a number of technical challenges, including the cantilevered roof and expansive open-plan internal spaces. A hybrid structure combining an internal steel frame with glulam beams helped realise these bold design elements.
Off-site fabrication of the SIPs superstructure significantly reduced the construction timeframe, a critical factor given the hilltop location and the often inclement Northumberland weather conditions.
A key factor in the success of the project was the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) from concept through to completion. BIM was used for planning, technical design, and on-site coordination, allowing for smooth collaboration between Model Projects (based in London), Smailes Construction (based on-site in Northumberland), and all other project teams. Detailed modelling from the structural elements to MEP components such as the MVHR ductwork played a crucial role in minimising issues on site and improving build efficiency.
Ultimately, the completed home perfectly fulfils Richard and Ros’s original vision: a sustainable, energy-efficient, low-maintenance residence that is architecturally bold, built to last, and ready for future generations to enjoy.
