The house is located in an earthquake zone and fire danger zone, and there are limited materials to build with other than reinforced concrete using local limestone aggregate (making formwork is a key local skill). There are simple rooms contained within the main volume, made entirely from concrete (walls, floors, ceilings, kitchen, some furniture) and on top, a large shaded living space under a corrugated roof supported on red oxide reinforcement bar trusses, again, drawing on the skills and materials available locally.

There is no glass involved in the creation of the house, only galvanised weldmesh sliding screens, separate sliding insect screens and plastic curtains. Materials were often selected by what was available from the hardware store in the village. There are no designer inflections that suggest this is (capital A) architecture. There is no gate, no fence and no taming of the landscape around it.

Text provided by the architects.

Made of Sand replaces an existing garage and workshop that had fallen into disrepair. Studio Weave wrapped the new 85 square meters (GEA) wing around the old cottage, resulting in a floorplan of two tesselating L-shape zones that connect internally. To create a purposeful sense of entry, Studio Weave reintroduced a path along the rear hillside to the central entry hall. A stainless steel galley kitchen lit by overhead and clerestory windows leads to the ground floor bedroom suite, which opens onto the large wildflower meadow at the front of the property. Upstairs, the living space seems to extend out to the treeline through the wide expanse of triple glazing wrapped around the facade, offering uninterrupted views over the Blackdown Hills beyond.

Materials and craft play a key role in anchoring Made of Sand in its setting. Outside, the external Red Western Cedar paneling silvers in tandem with the surrounding woodland timbers. Inside, natural materials including clay, terracotta, brass and douglas fir plywood create a warm environment. Made of Sand is highly insulated and soundproofed to allow artists and children creative freedom during retreats and family holidays.

The structure of the extension remains on display, reducing material use and wastage, and the douglas fir ceiling soffits are echoed throughout in timber battening, window seating and wall storage. Constructed by the clients’ local cob building specialist and craftsman, Made of Sand balances architectural precision with organic details. Rust-colored clay walls softly curve into door frames, and timber wall joinery cut individually by hand demonstrates the care and attention executed by a dedicated client, architect, and contractor partnership.

Text provided by the architect.