Back to Front

The position of the stone building at the end of the plot creates an interesting issue to do with gardens. Traditionally the back garden is private, while the front is a semi-public space which allows access to the house and is often overlooked from a street.

The Stables site does not have any land behind the house so semi-public and private outdoor space is merged at the front. To bring more order to this arrangement a pond is proposed to create a physical (and symbolic) barrier between the two types of garden. Visitors can cross a segment of the water by a foot bridge to reach the front door. However, to get into the private garden (on the other shore) it is necessary to be invited into the house. The pond will also act as a holding vessel for rainwater run-off from the roof. Its overflow will go to the underground soak-away running parallel to the workshop.

The usual convention of putting additional accommodation at the rear of the house has also been reversed. The single storey building at the front will contain the entrance lobby and a bedroom with shower room attached. I suppose it could be likened to a gatehouse. Perhaps that bridge over the pond ought to become a drawer bridge? No, it has never been the intention to create a fortress. Sometimes analogies can run away with themselves. The front addition may best be considered as a lodge - connected to the main building in this case - but acting as the first point of contact for those entering the dwelling.