The largest new build project undertaken by Ptolemy Dean Architects to date replaces a C20th bungalow with a more sensitvely designed cluster of buildings within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the Berkshire Downs. From the north front and sides the proposed design seeks to capture something of the appearance of a traditional looking house with farm outbuildings from afar, so that it will take its place in the background of wider views. The design seeks to avoid a potentially monotonous symmetrical solution for all sides, with the flanking buildings broken down into uneven lengths and forms so as to avoid the appearance of ?newness? within the wider landscape. The formal and ?symmetrical? south front looks down the breathtaking valley towards the Berkshire Downs where the flanking outbuildings are terminated as ?pavilions?. A more asymmetrical and informal appearance is achieved to the sides and to the north-facing main entrance, where the main house is partially concealed by the service courtyard of outbuildings. The building materials explore the full variety of local materials celebrating the local vernacular and providing necessary texture and colour to the buildings. For the south range of the house, the ?smartest? fa?ade facing the landscape, handmade red clay brick with blue header bricks are being used. Knapped flint, also commonly found in the chalk downland area often appears to be used as a secondary material to the red brick. It is therefore used on the rear northern range of the new house facing the new service court. Flintwork, with red brick voussoirs, provides contrasting texture and colour, particularly in the raking low light from the west and east which will illuminate this fa?ade. For the lower outbuildings, where flint is not used, stained agricultural weatherboard is proposed. Hand made clay peg tiles are proposed for all of the roofs. By building traditionally, it is hoped that the building will also age traditionally to form a background cluster of buildings in the remarkable landscape.