Perched on a magnificent woodland site with views of the Thames, this five-bedroom home by Gregory Phillips Architects is a striking illustration of modernity and restraint. The elegant new build is situated within a quiet Berkshire village, replacing an existing house on a 1000sqm plot of? ?land? ?where? ?one? ?of? ?the? ?owners? ?spent? ?his? ?childhood. After acquiring the property, he enlisted Gregory Phillips Architects to design a contemporary home that would make the most of its verdant surroundings, with enough space to entertain guests and, most importantly, accommodate the hustle and bustle of his young family. “We wanted this house to be an exciting alternative to the humdrum often associated with suburban architecture,” says Phillips, whose 27-year-old practice has won accolades for its top to bottom service? ?in? ?residential? ?design. After taking the brief, Phillips’ team devised a design concept based on the idea of a house with two faces: the protected front end that can be seen from the road, contrasted with an open, light-filled rear to maximise views across the south-facing garden. “Our goal was to design a house where the architectural interest starts when you step onto the land, not when you get into the house,” says Phillips. On approach up the front drive, the sharp, geometric forms of the single-storey garage block and the main house are tempered by a discreet entrance courtyard and a warm palette of materials including timber, concrete and handmade brick? ?the? ?colour? ?of? ?sand. The interior layout echoes the idea of public and private zoning - with guest rooms, playroom and utility spaces toward the front of the house and all of the well-used living spaces, kitchen and bedrooms at the back. Once inside the front door, a modest lobby opens into a theatrical, double height space for dining and living, with 6-metre tall sliding glass doors leading out to a mature, landscaped garden. Polished concrete floors are set off by understated furniture and walls clad in the same handmade brick and timber seen on the exterior, giving a strong sense of connection between inside and outside space. Bespoke joinery and a sculptural concrete island are distinctive features in the kitchen, which is typical in that it’s the most used room in the house. It was important to the clients that their home had visual impact for guests, but it also needed to feel homey; to that end, ceiling heights and room sizes fluctuate so the family can comfortably entertain large groups as well as be on their own. “I don’t think modern architecture should be about formality – or the kind of space where you walk in and are awed, then it’s over. Our idea with this house was that you’re turning into spaces. You’re discovering as you move through it, turning corners; it’s a journey and ultimately it makes for a much more relaxed house,” says Phillips. The result is a quiet kind of luxury living with carefully considered spaces, bespoke details? ?and? ?finishes? ?that? ?are? ?refined? ?and? ?timeless.