When purchased by our client, the Greensleeves site was heavily overgrown and the existing house was verging on dereliction. Indeed to access the site from the street meant ducking and weaving between bushes and tree branches, vehicular access was not possible, but this neglected site hid a spectacular feature. Situated on an outcrop high above the River Avon as it flows from Ringwood south towards Christchurch in Dorset, the site enjoys spectacular views across the river valley and beyond to the New Forest. Outline permission had been granted for a replacement dwelling, but this was not to the tastes of our client, nor did it make best use of the site or the views. DUA Architecture were appointed to design a one-off house befitting of this spectacular location. From the outset it was clear that the design should maximise the opportunity to enjoy the views over the valley from throughout the house. This has been achieved in a number of ways: On entering the property by the front door, the view out over the valley is presented through a glazed wall which separates the entrance hall from the kitchen/dining area and sunken lounge. Sinking the lounge below the entrance hall level serves to draw attention across the lounge down to the valley floor below while also separating it spatially from the open plan kitchen and dining area. Glazing on the valley side of the building has been maximised for the principal living spaces and the two main bedrooms. Additionally, these two main bedrooms enjoy large covered balconies and the kitchen and dining space lets out on to a covered patio ensuring time can be spent outside even when the weather is less than ideal. Corner sliding doors also act to bring the inside and outside together. Double height spaces in the entrance hall and dining area are used to maximise natural daylight through the building and in the case of the dining area, also enables the first floor circulation space to gain expansive elevated views across the valley which would otherwise be hidden within bedrooms. Approaching the house from the street, its main form is a composition of three materially different two storey segments. The central element is clad in terracotta tiles, and as the most prominent (tallest and most vividly coloured) announces itself as the entrance. It also houses the living room, access to first floor and one of the two main bedrooms. Either side of this central core is a white rendered element and a timber clad element. Additional bedrooms, service spaces and a study are found within the white element and the timber element houses the kitchen and dining space and master bedroom suite. Projecting from the front of the building is a garage which mirrors the white render from the opposite end of the building while a log store on its side elevation softens it overall form. Due to its fantastic location (as well as a showcase for the client’s company’s capabilities - which carried out the works) it was clear that this building should exemplify high quality design and the use of quality materials and workmanship. The client was also keen from the outset that this new house would be considerate to the environment, and so a number a renewable and energy saving technologies were to be incorporated. This too is an attitude DUA Architecture brings to projects where possible. As a result, it easily complied with current Building Regulations.