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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. The Long House in UK by Hopkins ArchitectsApril 25th, 2012 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: Hopkins Architects Hopkins Architects’ first UK residential project in over 30 years RIBA Stirling prize nominated Hopkins architects have designed the latest house in the Living Architecture series. The Long House is Sir Michael and Patty Hopkins’ first UK residential property in thirty years and the fourth rental property to open in the Living Architecture series. The house demonstrates a harmony between the respect for traditional craftsmanship, taking cues from the local vernacular, combined with a fascination for the utility and aesthetic of high technology.  Image Courtesy ©Richard Davies
 Image Courtesy ©Richard Davies The exterior flint walls of The Long House are reminiscent of barns and churches of the region. They are impressively crafted with locally-sourced stones from the quarry at Holt. They extend beyond the confines of the house to enclose a Morning and Evening Yard at either end which, together with the site’s existing mature trees, protect the house from any prevailing marshland winds.  Image Courtesy ©Richard Davies The interior is largely open plan with an impressive double height entrance gallery. A two-way stove divides the gallery from the comfortable sitting area beyond. At the other end is the kitchen / dining area. The spiral stair leads up to four bedrooms and bathrooms. Located only 3km from the sea, the large first floor windows offer impressive coastal views across the flat terrain. The pitched roof is formed by elegant timber trusses tied with steel cables. A fifth en- suite and accessible bedroom is located in an annexe adjacent to the Morning Yard, making this a five-bedroom property that comfortably sleeps ten people and thus the largest of the current Living Architecture houses.  Image Courtesy ©Richard Davies The Hopkins have designed bespoke primary-coloured bedroom furniture for the house, which contrasts with the backdrop of sleek ash flooring and walls. Elements of the rough exterior walls are expressed in the slightly textured lime render used on the interior walls. There are two main garden areas. To the front, mature plum, apple and hazelnut trees border a gravel driveway giving access to the house. The front and rear gardens have been planted with wild meadow mix, which will embed the house in the Norfolk landscape. Horses, ponies and sheep graze peacefully in the surrounding meadow. There are many curiosities to explore in the area, from the World War Two ground-to-air gunnery training simulator at nearby Langham, a 25 x 40’ black concrete dome, currently under restoration, to the picturesque seaside village of Wells-next- the-sea and sandy beaches at Holkham.  Image Courtesy ©Richard Davies HOPKINS ARCHITECTS Hopkins Architects have been at the forefront of British architecture since the practice was established in 1976. Their track record for delivering buildings of the highest architectural excellence, combining innovative design, craft, and environmental responsibility, has been the key to their continuing success.  Image Courtesy ©Richard Davies Their work has been widely acclaimed by both architects and the public alike and their projects have won most major architectural awards. Apart from their large portfolio of projects in the UK, in recent years their international work has increased with projects in Greece, Japan, Dubai, India and the USA. The firm works from a self-designed campus in Marylebone, London.  Image Courtesy ©Richard Davies LIVING ARCHITECTURE An organisation dedicated to using world-class architects to build houses for rent around the UK.  Image Courtesy ©Richard Davies  Image Courtesy ©Richard Davies
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