koto design completes cantilevered ‘falcon house’ in the cotswolds

the timber holiday home features a flipped program, with bedrooms on the lower floor and social functions on the upper level.

lynne myers December 2, 2021 3 min

A SCULPTURAL HOLIDAY HOME WITH AN UPSIDE DOWN PROGRAM

specialists in prefabricated architecture koto design reveals its first completed two storey modular house. situated in the cotswolds, UK, the sculptural holiday home is composed of two black timber volumes, one of which cantilevers over the rural site.

in order to maximize views from the living spaces, the architects flipped the traditional residential program, putting the bedrooms on the lower floor and the social functions on the upper level. the first floor is designed to be intimate and cozy while the second floor features large windows to create the sensation of living between the trees.

koto design completes cantilevered 'falcon house' in the cotswolds - 1 — image by olco studios

warm, COZY interiors FOR FALCON HOUSE

‘we create spaces which pay homage to stillness. calm and considered sanctuaries that are both flexible and functional,’ says zoe little, koto co-founder.

for the interiors, koto embraced a minimal and timeless aesthetic that they call ‘quiet luxury’. the blackened timber skin gives way to light-colored spaces. the second floor features exposed CLT surfaces while the first floor walls are painted with st leo interiors plaster paint to create a ‘perfectly imperfect’ earthy texture.

in addition to the textured plaster walls, the interiors are populated with a selection of organic fabrics and woven rugs to imbue the spaces with character and homeliness. objects have been thoughtfully chosen with the mantra of ‘quality over quantity’.

koto design completes cantilevered 'falcon house' in the cotswolds - 2 — image by olco studios

koto co-founder, theo dales, continues,‘we believe well-designed spaces can transform our environment. koto creates simple, flexible and functional homes which embrace slow living.’

sited within a holiday home community called lower mill estate, falcon house is envisioned as a relaxing retreat. the designers say, ‘this is a home where memories can be made, spaces that have been designed to feel comfortable and welcoming. this is a house to slow down in, where spaces have been designed to contemplate and watch the leaves rustle in the trees, or to be social and embrace the joy of celebration with friends and family.’