The Sunny House

The Sunny House is Shaped by light, and rooted in the valley.

In the gentle contours of the Lower Wye Valley, The Sunny House quietly reimagines a modest timber bungalow into a light-filled, low-energy home for modern family life. Built to Passivhaus standards, the new design remains grounded in its setting — shaped by long views, local vernacular, and the soft rhythms of the landscape.

The home now unfolds across two cranked gabled forms, inspired by the silhouettes of nearby rural buildings. One holds bedrooms and private spaces, the other a flowing sequence for living, cooking, and gathering. A glazed link between them offers a moment of stillness — connecting inside to garden, and garden back to home — while allowing each form to breathe on its own.

Internally, spaces rise to the roofline, bringing light and openness to each room. A mezzanine library nestles above the kitchen, offering a place to read, reflect, or retreat. Built-in storage and thoughtful details respond to the changing needs of family life, while carefully placed openings frame views, draw in light, and offer privacy. Clad in timber and topped with standing seam metal, The Sunny House sits quietly in the valley — simple, enduring, and completely of its place.

Project Detail

The Sunny House is a Passivhaus-standard refurbishment and extension of an existing timber bungalow in the Lower Wye Valley. The design introduces two cranked gabled volumes — separating private and shared functions — linked by a glazed, flat-roofed structure that connects home and garden. The internal layout maximises space and light, with open rooflines, integrated storage, and a mezzanine library above the kitchen. The home is timber-framed and clad, with a standing seam metal roof, and reorients site access to improve privacy and arrival.