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Middlefield

A contemporary home in an area of oustanding beauty

Stone farmhouse with slate roof and large windows set behind a dry stone wall in rolling green fields under a pale sky
Middlefield is a contemporary family home in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The project replaced a modest cottage with a new four-bedroom house for a young family. While the site benefited from outstanding views across the surrounding landscape, the house could be seen from almost every direction. Privacy was just as important as making the most of the setting, and the result is a beautiful home that balances both.
Client
Private Residence
Location
North Wales
Status
Complete
Scope
New build dwelling
Modern slate-roofed farmhouse with stone lower walls behind a dry-stone wall in a grassy rural setting

What mattered

The views were one of the site’s greatest assets, but they also created one of the biggest design challenges. The clients wanted a modern home with large areas of glazing and strong connections to the landscape. At the same time, they needed privacy from neighbouring properties, passing traffic and surrounding viewpoints.

The site itself offered very little natural screening. There were no established trees or landscape features that could be relied upon to create privacy, meaning the building had to solve the problem itself.

Planning added another layer of complexity. The site sits within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, where contemporary architecture is often scrutinised closely. Any proposal would need to demonstrate that it responded positively to both the landscape and the character of the area.

Slate-tiled roof with two skylights and a central glass atrium above a stone and rendered wall, under a pale cloudy sky

Our approach

Rather than relying on landscaping or screening, we used the building itself to create privacy.

The house was split into two parts – living spaces and sleeping spaces – connected by a glazed link. This allowed the building to be carefully arranged across the site, creating shelter, controlling views and reducing opportunities for overlooking.

The orientation of the house was equally important. Glazing was focused towards the best views and sunlight, while openings on more exposed elevations were carefully considered to balance outlook with privacy. Parts of the building were staggered to create additional buffering between different areas of the home.

Modern building corner with large reflective glass panels, metal framing and a stone interior wall visible through the window

Securing planning approval required patience and close collaboration with the local authority. The process took around 18 months, with the contemporary nature of the design requiring a strong and well-developed case before approval could be secured.

Alongside the design work, the house was planned to perform efficiently. External insulation allows the structure itself to retain and gradually release heat, helping the building make the most of solar gain and reducing energy demand throughout the year.

Modern stone-and-plaster house with slate roof, skylights and tall stone chimney behind a low dry-stone wall, silver pickup parked outside.

The outcome

Middlefield shows what can be achieved when a design responds directly to the challenges of its site.

The completed house takes full advantage of the surrounding views while maintaining a level of privacy that would have been difficult to achieve through landscaping alone. The home is bright, efficient and comfortable to live in, with low running costs and strong thermal performance.

One of the biggest measures of the project’s success came after completion, with the scheme now used by the local authority as an example of how contemporary architecture can be successfully delivered within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Modern house corner showing stone wall, white render, glass atrium roof and dark tiled sloped roof with a small skylight
Angled view of two dark slate-roofed gables with white facades against a cloudy blue sky.
Slate-roofed stone house gable with black-framed dormer window and rain gutter under a pale cloudy sky
Stone cottage with slate roof, roof windows and tall black chimney, glass-walled dining extension and patio furniture
Corner of a stone-clad chimney rising against a clear blue sky with a metal roof edge and white rendered wall visible.
Angled close-up of a modern building corner showing glass panels, a reflective window, stonework reflection and a black gutter against a pale wall