hyde + hyde architects design the silver house from vernacular construction

‘silver house’ by hyde + hyde architects, gower peninsula, south wales
image © hyde + hyde architects

currently in the planning stages, cardiff-based practice hyde + hyde architects are designing the ‘silver house’ in the gower peninsula of southern wales. the design is heavily based around the client’s personal habits and a strong sense of place. the exterior walls of the ground floor will be built from dry stacked stone, a vernacular tradition found in the area, with large openings framed in thin steel sheets. a reflecting pool fed by the water collected on the rooftop extends the usability of the immediate site reflecting the sky and landscape. the upper story contains the bedrooms cantilevered upon exposed timber beams, wrapped in the warmth of wood planks and offering views towards the nearby oxwich point- a material choice that echoes the construction of local agricultural buildings. in the basement, a recording studio naturally acoustically sheltered from unneeded noise receives natural light filtered through exterior the reflecting pool. the monopitch roof meanwhile acts as a scoop, not only collecting rainwater but also slicing through the often times strong ocean breezes.

image © hyde + hyde architects

kitchen and living room on the first floor
image © hyde + hyde architects

view towards the sea
image © hyde + hyde architects

image © hyde + hyde architects

 
bedroom
image © hyde + hyde architects