Leewood is a new substantial family home grounded in the architectural traditions of North Norfolk: flint walls, round turrets, brick dressing to openings, eaves, and corners combine to create a harmonious yet robust composition that reflects both vernacular craftsmanship and restrained elegance. Internally Leewood embodies the highest standards of modern living. Where expansive frameless glass brings in natural light and opens the house to uninterrupted views over the surrounding agricultural land. The sense of transparency and spatial openness evokes a feeling of generous calm, with a clear connection to the landscape.

Leewood is situated on the west side of Herrings Lane, occupying a wide but shallow plot. Although it lies outside the Burnham Market Conservation Area, which allows more freedom in terms of form, scale, and material choices, it is positioned within the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). This setting introduces a unique set of constraints and considerations, requiring the design to carefully respond to the surrounding landscape while respecting environmental protections.

The client’s brief was refined through ongoing discussions, reflecting their hands-on involvement and enthusiasm for the design process. They valued being able to engage directly with drawings and contribute ideas throughout. The house was conceived as a second home for a family with older children, intended as a future retirement residence and a nurturing environment for generations to come.

The architectural form is articulated through a simple pitched roof, intersected by a distinctive turret that lends vertical emphasis and a sense of place. Two projecting gables punctuate the composition: one single-storey element with rooms nestled in the eaves above the garage, and a double-height gable projecting to the rear, opening toward the garden and landscape beyond. Internally, subtle changes in floor levels behind the kitchen and upstairs create a dynamic internal landscape that complements the site’s gentle slope.

A curved staircase and landing echo the turret’s form, providing an elegant spatial gesture and a focal point within the home. The front door, a curved offset pivot, reinforces this architectural language and offers a welcoming, sculptural entry. The choice of brick and flint draws on local building traditions, grounding the house in its Norfolk context while adding texture and visual interest.

Responding to the landscape was a core value of the project. The kitchen faces down the slope of the adjacent field, establishing a strong connection between interior spaces and the wider environment. Careful attention was also given to the building’s relationship with the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), ensuring that the design respects the sensitive character of the protected landscape through restrained massing, natural materials, and thoughtful siting. The volumes of the house rise above the fields, creating a composition that balances openness with enclosure. On the front elevation, the careful ratio of window to wall provides privacy while framing outward views, and to the rear, large openings capture expansive vistas and allow the home to feel integrated with the landscape beyond.