A pair of modest, carefully planned and highly sustainable new family homes sited opposite one another in the village of Chalvington near Lewes. Designed to be read as a pair, the two houses are located either side of the main road into the village. Each responds to its site and orientation, but the two share similar form, massing, details and materials palette. Both will be highly sustainable and energy efficient. Orientated north - south, with small windows to the north face to limit heat loss and large openings to the south to maximise solar gain in winter. South facing glazing is set back from the façade with generous overhangs to limit summer overheating.

Both homes have a projecting south facing gabled wing that houses the primary kitchen and living space, with master bedroom above. All ground floor rooms open directly into the gardens, via a sheltered undercover loggia. Bedrooms open onto private inset balconies above. With simple east-west pitched roof form and projecting south facing gabled extension, the building forms are a contemporary interpretation of local village vernacular. The balconies at first floor and loggia at ground floor provide shading, relief and texture. This articulation continues around the building in the form of piers and shallow recesses giving the façades depth and detail, and providing spaces for planting. Expanded orchards and wildflower gardens surround both houses and enhance the biodiversity of the sites. 

Fully accessible and highly efficient in terms of both embodied and operational energy, the development will partner with the adjacent Chalvington micro-grid to provide exemplars of zero carbon rural homes for lifetime living.