Shawm House, Northumbria Building, Architects, Property Images, Designs, News, Photos

Shawm House in Northumbria

English Buildings in Northumbria, northeast England design by MawsonKerr Architects, UK

8 Nov 2017

Shawm House – Northumbria Residence

Design: MawsonKerr Architects

Location: Northumbria, England

Shawm House

It isn’t often that you visit a self-build or professionally procured house that is immaculately constructed, sensitively conceived and has heart and soul with which evokes an emotional connection.

Shawm house has a remarkable story. Whilst living and working on the site, this house was built by Richard Pender to provide a more manageable home for his ageing parents delivers a building that tells a story at every turn. You feel connected to the history of the Pender family, the historic farms and bastilles visible across the Northumbrian fells and are provided with a wonderful series of carefully framed views of the rustic landscape.

Working in partnership with Dan Kerr the project architect, Richard Pender has developed from scratch an enviable understanding of construction methodology and technologies, new practical skills and an undeniably keen eye for detail. The building was constructed by Richard on site, in an existing barn where he structured a bespoke jig to enable him to create the buildings timber frame, before applying timber cladding to create a house that connects to immediate features such as an existing walled garden and also sits comfortably in the landscape context.

The project team have combined their knowledge of Passivhaus construction, with an ethos for sustainable design and aligned this approach to a strategy for using materials available on site and from local sources to conceive a truly sustainable, low energy and low impact proposition. The execution of this design is of the highest quality, the exceptional understanding of construction sequencing and coordination and tightness of details had led to an exceptional build quality delivered by hand.

Beyond the remarkable achievement of constructing this building with little support from professional contractors, Richard would not have been able to deliver the project without the practical knowledge and careful attention offered by the project architect, and the timely and thoughtful input from his parents. Dan Kerr managed to retain an architectural vision whilst planning how Richard could build the structure himself whilst ensuring that the carefully considered needs of Mr and Mrs Pender were adequately accommodated.

The level of consideration given to the construction process and interfaces between materials new and old is understated yet beautifully composed. Nothing is overstated, yet emphasis, legibility and clarity is given to each element with a balanced and pleasing weighting.

Shawm House will be a perfect home for Richard’s parents and is indeed one of Northumberland’s finest homes.

Shawm House – Building Information

RIBA region: Northeast
Architect practice: MawsonKerr Architects
Date of completion: January 2017
Client company name: Richard, Tony & Anne Pender
Project city/town: West Woodburn
Contract value: £351,000.00
Internal area: 274.00 sqm
Cost per sqm: £1,281.02 / sqm
Contractor company name: Richard Pender

Awards
• RIBA Northeast Award
• Regional Project Architect of the Year
• Regional Small Project of the Year
• Regional Sustainability award

Jury Report
Shawm house is quiet simply special.

It isn’t often that you visit a self-build or professionally procured house that is immaculately constructed, sensitively conceived and has heart and soul with which it impossible not to make an emotional connection.

Shawm house has a remarkable story. Whilst living and working on the site this house built by Richard Pender to provide a more manageable home for his ageing parents delivers a building that tells a story at every turn. You feel connected to the history of the Pender family, the historic farms and bastilles visible across the Northumbrian fells and are provided with a wonderful series of carefully framed views of the rustic Northumbrian landscape.

Working in partnership with Dan Kerr the project architect, Richard Pender has developed from scratch an enviable understanding of construction methodology and technologies, new practical skills and an undeniably keen eye for detail. The building was constructed by Richard on site, in an existing barn were he structured a bespoke jig to enable him to create the buildings timber frame, before applying timber cladding and other finishes to create a house that connects to immediate features such as an existing walled garden but more over sits comfortably in the landscape context.

Beyond the remarkable achievement of constructing this building with little support from professional contractors, Richard would not have been able to deliver the project without the practical knowledge and careful care and attention offered by the project architect, and the timely and thoughtful input from his parents. Dan Kerr managed to retain an architectural vision whilst planning how Richard could build the structure himself whilst ensuring that the carefully considered needs of Mr and Mrs Pender were adequately accommodated.

Shawm house will be a perfect home for Richards parents and is indeed one of Northumberland’s finest homes. Moreover Shawm house is a standout example of what is possible with clarity of thought and exceptional and focused deployment of an architects skills.