The designs of the woodland houses in the South Cambridgeshire village of Shepreth are directly attributed to their secluded landscaped setting. The two plots in the former grounds of an existing dwelling are part of the local conservation area and heavily sheltered by established trees. The orientation of both houses, one four-bedroom and the other six-bedroom, have been laid out to benefit from the passive shading of dappled summer sunlight, and low winter sun angles beneath the high tree canopy. The new houses carefully juxtapose a contemporary vernacular of brick walls and striking elevations with shallow rooflines and materials to evoke familiar silhouettes found in the the surrounding setting. Smooth cut brickwork of Victorian buildings found locally are echoed by the new buildings, which use brickwork punctuated by large openings. These are recessed and set in a relief of contrasting off-white cladding, or simply punctuated to form a striking asymmetric balance. The metal roofs, contrasting red brick chimneys, simple detailing, and double boarded treated timber have all been chosen to resonate with traditional construction methods found locally.