Outhouse

OVERVIEW: OUTHOUSE is a highly sustainable, environmentally friendly home that was built for two artists within a remote setting of the Wye Valley and the Forest of Dean. Completed in 2015, the house consists of a bespoke, concrete shell purposeful for hanging the artist owner's art. The house over looks idyllic countryside, stretching to the Wye Valley and Severn Estuary. Outhouse is discreetly imbedded into the land to blend-in with its natural surroundings and is concealed to anyone above it. The simplicity of this house creates a sense of serenity for the home owners and allows them to complete their art work with acres of inspiration surrounding them. The concrete gives a luxurious feel to the long stretch of house, accommodating small inside/outside courtyard gardens where the existing house used to reside. These small but spacious courtyards penetrate the house with light, producing a bright and airy atmosphere breaking up the substantial footprint. Each courtyard is purposeful in representing each of the 4 elements; fire, earth, water and air, keeping in tone with the economical building. This sleek concrete house has a unique corridor running down the centre of the house, creating an art gallery where the owners display some of their exceptional pieces of work. This gallery also separates the West and East sides of the house, generating two separate spaces, for work and for living. This groundbreaking project is unique in having minimal impact on the surroundings and scenery but according to the architectural journal its earned its place as "one of the most outstanding new houses in Britain in a decade".