Architecture Wednesday: The Roundhouse

Set amid open countryside near Old Knebworth in Hertfordshire, this remarkable five-bedroom house was built on the site of a disused above-ground water tank. The circular Roundhouse radiates around a majestic central tree-like core from which its three levels and irregular roofline are suspended. Designed with handcrafted natural materials and sustainability at the forefront, it features over 4,820 square feet, with generously proportioned spaces for living and working.

The façade is defined by a jigsaw of stone, red-brick and Edwardian concrete, interspersed with bee bricks to encourage pollinators to nest. The house is topped by a weathervane and a striking cone-shaped reclaimed tiled roof, while expansive glass panels wrap all around, contributing to a sense of lightness.

The main entrance, on the first floor, is reached via an external staircase where you enter a porch with light washing down from the skylights above. There is plenty of storage space provided by hand-crafted joinery and a wooden staircase leading to an upper mezzanine floor.

The top floor is entirely occupied by the sweeping open plan reception area, where floor-to-ceiling windows remove the boundaries with the surrounding landscape while soaring ceilings and expansive skylights flood the space with natural light. Solid larch floorboards run underfoot, with large glass panels in circular formation offer a glimpse of the landing below. 

The main floor includes the kitchen, dining, and living areas. The focal point of the kitchen is a red electric-wood-fired Thornhill range cooker set into solid wood cabinetry, alongside a generous oak-topped island with seats for casual dining. Above the sink, a porthole window frames leafy views of the garden. Tucked to one side, a secondary kitchen provides additional storage and houses the integrated refrigerator and dishwasher.

There are two distinct lounging areas on this level, each catering to a different mood; one opens onto a balcony with views toward the gardens while the other is nestled in a more secluded part of the open plan and warmed by a wood burning stove. Also on this floor are the playroom and a powder room, while a light-filled mezzanine, perfect for a office, is up a small staircase.

A striking, spiral open-tread steel and ash staircase descends to the levels below. There are five bedrooms on the first floor, all accessible from the landing with the principal bedroom, with an en suite bath, opening directly onto the side garden. There is additional bathroom servicing the other bedrooms while the guest room has its own private bath.

Another staircase leads down to the versatile lower level, where a reclaimed brick archway gives way to a fully functioning oak bar with counter and a generous dining area. From here, doors open into the home gym/studio/theatre, with a wall of built-in cabinetry and cork flooring underfoot, and a separate bathroom. A wine cellar and laundry area round out the lower level.

An enchanting natural landscape wraps around the house, offering ever-changing views across the seasons. Wonderfully private, the landscaped gardens are bordered by hedgerows and established oak and fir trees, interspersed with terraced areas, shingled paths, and grassy lawns. To the rear, a paved terrace is arranged with a generous outdoor dining area looking out toward the country, sheltered from the sunlight by mature oak trees. 

The house can operate almost entirely off-grid, with a clear water septic tank, a wood-fired/electric range cooker, roof-top solar panels and an uneven shape that allows it to collect rainwater from the conical roof. Thermally broken Crittall windows enhance energy efficiency, while lightwells deliver abundant natural light to all floors. The central tree-trunk core, a towering 14-metre reclaimed steel pipe, serves as the main chimney, allowing warm air to circulate from the biomass boiler. The house has underfloor heating on all levels, 10kw of battery storage and is wired for high-speed internet connection.

The home is within easy reach of Cambridge, St Albans and under 30 minutes by train from London King's Cross and can be yours for $3.5M USD.

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The Modern House