considerate design creates a biodiverse and sustainable home
In the rolling landscape of Lostwithiel, Cornwall, The Eyebrid demonstrates how an unassuming agricultural shed can be transformed into a sustainable family home. The clients approached Laurence Associates with a dual ambition: to embed the home within the surrounding nature while retaining a sense of the land’s farming history...
The client challenged the practice, which specialises in bespoke, high-quality architectural designs, to mimic the original timber structure with corrugated roofing, while modernising and upgrading the concept to turn it into their forever home. Nature had to be at the heart of the
project too, with the clients placing a strong emphasis on integrating the unique surroundings throughout the design and through rewilding of the surrounding pastoral land to improve biodiversity.
Creating a unique design Named The Eyebrid, the final design maintains the familiar agricultural barn form while incorporating innovative twists to the roofscape. Laurence Associates pursued a rounded geometry that mirrors the natural contours of the landscape, so opted for a curved roof that flowed into the hillside. This places the design into the terrain and allows space for a discreet second storey to capitalise on the surrounding views and provide additional internal living space. According to Barry Chippendale, senior
architect at Laurence Architects, one of the challenges during the roof design was constructing the bespoke design and hiding guttering and the structural components of the building to make the building-to-landscape transition seamless. He explained: “We used Archicad to create the design, so that we could easily create 3D models and walk-throughs that helped our communication with the contractors. We got the design on a big screen and visually showed the parts of the design
we had challenges with so that we could get their insights and workshop solutions together.” “The 3D model also allowed us to walk the clients through the design and make any adaptations, based on their preferences. We were able to showcase how the roof helped blend the building into the surrounding landscape and ensure they would be happy with the results. We were also able to discuss the layout and material choices and easily update the design to help create their dream home.”
Mindful materials These material choices were critical to the final look of the home. The building will be clad in locally sourced materials, including timber and stone from a nearby quarry. This helps integrate the building within the natural landscape and celebrates Cornwall’s heritage. It also lowers the embodied carbon of the project, with minimal emissions from materials deliveries to site. The building will be anchored by a base
course of locally quarried stone, selected for its durability and for its ability to encourage lichen colonisation over time – a slow process of integration into the living landscape. It also increases the variety of plants.
Zinc trims will be used to articulate
roof edges, offering a contemporary counterpoint that resists weathering longer than the timber and stone. This controlled contrast creates a narrative of permanence, change, and modern intervention. Barry added: “Using local materials helped overcome the first hurdle of many
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