Located in the Somerset countryside, this project involved the creation of a contemporary annex nestled into a steep embankment. The design features a frameless glazed link between the Grade II listed farmhouse and new living space along with a spiral wine cellar below ground.
The key technical challenge was how to create a three-sided basement extension directly beneath a busy country lane. Site stability and access were the primary challenges and so the structural solution required a high level of coordination between the temporary and permanent works. A number of different retaining wall designs and construction sequences were explored before settling on the most cost effective solution.
Soil nails were installed to stablise the slope during the gradual excavation and this provided temporary stability whilst the robust reinforced concrete retaining walls were constructed. Temporary stage and permanent stage sign-off was required by the Highways Authority before the site works could commence.
The annex is cloaked in an intensive Bauder Green roof, allowing it to disappear into the landscape when viewed from above.
