Challenge
A steep granite site with a 22-meter drop, strict heritage views toward the chapel, and a brief that forbade mechanical cooling.
2023 · Cornwall · Dwelling
Wind House
A house tuned to the northwesterly
- Year
- 2023
- Location
- Cornwall, England
- Type
- Dwelling
- Status
- Built
- Area
- 286 sq m
- Client
- Private
The house is arranged as two plaster bars offset by 11 degrees — the prevailing summer wind. Between them, a court of cork oaks and a shallow rill that evaporates under the afternoon north wind.
A split-level dwelling on the Cornwall ridge that uses the Atlantic wind as its primary cooling system.
Approach
Thermal mass in rammed earth walls, a roof of lime-washed zinc, and operable timber screens that the owners re-rig seasonally like sails. The kitchen sits in the leeward bar so cooking heat never enters the sleeping rooms.
Outcome
Peak interior temperature in August 2024 was 26.1 C without active cooling. Architectural Review House Award, 2023.
Credits
Lead
Elena Carter
Structure
Anchor Structure
Joinery
Wind Workshop
Next project
Moss Archive