Kimbland House

Design ACB was appointed in 2005 to design a new build dwelling on a fantastic countryside site overlooking Exmoor. The main approach via a gravel access path is contrived in a way that only allows the visitor oblique views of the dwelling. On arrival, the entrance courtyard to the north of the building deliberately restricts views to the moor, and only when one enters the dwelling, do the stunning views of Exmoor materialise.

The proposed L-shape configuration creates a loose arrangement echoing the agricultural yard seen commonly within Exmoor farmsteads. A sense of enclosure is achieved though a series of landscaping devices that define the space without restricting the views. The arrangement of the building acts to subtly reduce potential overlooking from the adjacent farmhouse without the need for obtrusive walls. The courtyard approach also acts as a physical buffer against the weather, most notably the prevailing winds.

The building is split into two distinct elements, one containing the living spaces, the other accommodating the bedrooms and ancillary areas. The Barn or living wing is treated as a traditional white rendered volume reminiscent of the farmhouse vernacular seen within the local context. The Stables or private wing is a deliberate contrast, taking its form from the modern agricultural buildings seen throughout the area. The envelope of this block is clad in oak to add visual warmth to the courtyard.

The building was completed in summer 2008.