Amin Taha and Sarah Griffiths were tasked with designing a home for a client who admired the work of Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. The client wanted something simple and powerful, a request that was answered wholeheartedly. The concrete shapes of the building stand strong against the sculpted garden that frames it.
The architects have used striking shapes in their design, which appear ever more severe when put in the context of the location: the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The industrial geometry sits against the soft, natural environment.
The back of the house consists of a concrete 'S' shape that seems to defy gravity, floating above the large pond which emphasises the shape of the property through reflection.
A landscaped garden also surrounds the house, composed from a selection of terraces, some pebbled, others paved and some left green. These envelope a large reflective pool, which is flanked by bespoke benches in concrete.
Pheasants has been shortlisted for RIBA House of the Year, and we can see why. This modern masterpiece fits seamlessly into its surroundings, a job that takes profound understanding of architectural shape and an ability to juxtapose textures and shapes.
Photography by Tim Soar.
Discover more of Amin Taha Architects' incredible work by heading to their website.
Curious for more? Then check out the incredible renovation of Moshe Safdie’s Habitat 67 House in Montreal.
