A contemporary new build project with Dreadnought red blue blend rustics

Architects : Mohsin Cooper Architects

Clay Tile - Dreadnought Rustic Red Blue blend plain tiles and external angles

Contractor: @chalmersandcosussexltd
Structural engineer: RID Struthers Ltd
PM / QS: @daltonbarnesconsulting

Photos: @richchiversphoto

Background

Denes House is a replacement dwelling in E Sussex, set within verdant landscape with far reaching views.  The original house on this rural East Sussex plot was deemed unfit for conversion and extension and planning permission was granted for a new house by South Downs National Park Authority in June 2022.

Challenge

Architects Mohsin Cooper were keen to reference the original house, while introducing contemporary design details and creating a building that would be timeless and would blend in with the surrounding downland landscape.  

Result

Materials were a key consideration.  The architects drew their inspiration from the surrounding landscape,using a pale buff brick, cedar for the window linings and a naturally coloured rustic plain clay Dreadnought tile with tones of purpley blues, teracottas and reds.  A bat tile was required by planning and Dreadnought's matching redblue bat tiles were used on the gable end in the vertical tile section.  The use of vertical tiling references the local Sussex hanging tile vernacular but the use of box gutters and vertical timber accents give the project clean lines and a contemporary edge.  The architects researched many different clay tiles and felt that the Dreadnought red/blue Rustics toned best with the landscape and provided  good variation and texture.  We think they did a great job!