In a bucolic village in South-East England, Oliver Leech Architects has crafted a refined home that’s wedded to the waters of the River Test.
The cold, clear waters of the lowland River Test running through the rural village of Houghton in Hampshire won the hearts of architect Oliver Leech’s clients. The hypnotic presence of the chalk stream not only contributes to the peace of the pastoral setting, but also gives the avid anglers fishing rights — an asset that very few houses on the Test have access to. “The brief was for a light, calm family home that maximised vistas, was relaxing and comfortable but also equally impressive for entertaining too,” Leech says.
“We drew inspiration from the local vernacular,” Leech explains of the home’s historic location in a conservation area. His concept involved adopting a more restrained and traditional facade with pitched roofs, dormer windows and lime render. In contrast, the rear is more contemporary, with long, flat expanses of glazing and a “more striking architectural language.”
The kitchen features walnut cabinetry and a Patagonia stone splashback and island top.
The house is split into three distinct volumes: a two-storey building at the front, a two-storey building at the rear and a single-storey pavilion. The entire envelope of the house was built off-site in a factory, then delivered and erected on-site in two weeks. “It meant we could build with precision and speed in a more quality controlled environment. It is also a waste-less process as all off-cut timbers in the factory are used to heat the building,” he says. “All decisions need to be made up front which takes time but means issues are resolved from the outset rather than on site.”
On the ground floor, the kitchen, dining and living unfolds out to a terrace garden and swimming pool. Upstairs, the bedrooms have gently curved pitched ceilings that enhance the generosity of space.
The dining area features the Carl Hansen & Son CH20 Elbow chairs designed by Hans J. Wagner alongside a bespoke timber dining table.
Although the climate is unpredictable, the homeowners wanted to amplify the connection between the interiors and the land. “The challenge in the UK is providing a house for all seasons,” Leech says, who designed a covered terrace so that outdoor dining is possible all year round. He also created secondary outdoor spaces between the three main structural volumes: a secluded south-facing ornamental garden that catches the sun all day, and a walled kitchen garden protected from the wind. “These different spaces offer a variety of options depending on weather.”
Creamy, off-white clay plaster walls soften the home’s minimal lines and limestone flooring sourced from the Isle of Purbeck add warmth to the restful setting. Externally, Leech chose materials that “embed the house in its site,” with pre-weathered Siberian Larch timber chosen for its patina qualities, handmade Roman bricks for a robust base and zinc shingles on the roof for shadow and texture. The neutrality of the restrained colour palette recedes into the background, allowing the riverside view to sing.
A Graham & Green sofa, an Isokon Loop coffee table and &Tradition AX HM11 lounge chair in the living area.
Pictured: The Saarinen Relax Conference armchair.
The walls in the primary bedroom are treated in clay plaster by Clayworks and feature a CTO Lighting sconces.
The bathroom features an original BTC sconce, hinged mirror by OLA custom-made from powder coated steel and fluted MDF cabinetry with an OKITE Quartz benchtop.
The base of the house is crafted from robust Roman bricks, complemented with lime rendered walls and zinc shingles on the roof.
