skylark: a bold debut
London-based architecture practice House Of EM has completed Skylark, a new-build family home located in the county of Shropshire. ABC&D discovers more...
Founded by former Michaelis Boyd directors Emma Bodie and Matthew Sanders, House Of EM brings a design philosophy rooted in place, meticulously crafted and realised for clients who are bold, creative and collaborative. Skylark marks the practice’s official debut, delivering architecture that is confident, contemporary and connected to its context. The site was a previously overgrown plateau overlooking the River Teme. Client James and Sam’s brief called for a private residence, Skylark – inspired by mid-century design with careful attention to views, sunlight and the landscape. Across the building, design priorities included creating an impactful arrival harnessing the view, siting the new building carefully in the landscape, connecting private and communal spaces, and using materials that felt at home and complemented the historic town. Skylark is arranged in an F-shaped plan, balancing openness and intimacy, while the stepped upper floor carefully reduces perceived massing. The layout creates a central courtyard garden and visual connections between rooms while maintaining separation where needed. The ground floor features a sequence designed for a grand arrival, where entry immediately frames views outward. The frontages facing the road are intentionally solid, punctuated with simple glazed openings. While the rear and side elevations open fully to capture the surrounding landscape and allow seamless access to the terraces and garden. Public and living spaces flow across the ground floor; including a stepped-down sitting room, the kitchen, dining area and snug are subtly separated by joinery and an integrated fireplace that defines living zones. The ground floor also includes a private block with a guest bedroom suite, a bathroom, an office, powder room, a gym, a playroom, as well as utility spaces including the entrance hall, a storage room, mudroom, and laundry. House Of EM’s expertly choreographed spatial strategy has moments of contemporary details tucked within the simple form. A skyroof illuminates the double-height entryway, where the main stairs lead up to the first floor. This floor sits within the two-storey portion of the L-shape to keep a reduced overall scale. It accommodates the master bedroom suite with bathroom and dressing room, two children’s bedrooms, a large family bathroom, a separate shower room, a dressing room,
Photographer: Richard Gaston
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