Baca Architects have gained planning consent for a flood-resilient house in the village of Sutton Courtenay in Oxfordshire. Sitting alongside a small brook the design was developed to be contemporary, simple in form and profile, while preserving the character of the conservation area and finding a sage solution to flooding.
The timber-framed house is conceived as a series of interlocking buildings, clad in a mixture of timber, glass, and steel to reflect the appearance of nearby converted barns. The structure is designed around a wooden-decked outdoor space, which raises the building above the flood level allowing water to flow underneath it during times of heavy rainfall. The surrounding landscaping is sculpted to accept encroaching flood water while both gauging and diverting rising water levels.
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