Chalk River House

: Houghton, Hampshire

Chalk River House is a new-build family home set on the banks of the River Test in the Hampshire village of Houghton. Designed by Oliver Leech Architects, the house responds to its exceptional setting with calm confidence, balancing contemporary design with traditional forms to sit naturally within the village conservation area.

The clients, a couple with two young children, asked for a home that could grow with them over time: equally comfortable for everyday family life and welcoming for guests. The design is arranged around two internal gardens - a walled kitchen garden and a fern-planted courtyard - which bring light and structure into the heart of the plan. Three volumes step back across the site, with the more traditional, pitched-roof frontage giving way to open-plan, modern living spaces that connect to the landscape and river beyond. Natural materials, including handmade Roman bricks, lime render and pre-weathered zinc, were chosen for their ability to weather and age beautifully. Inside, soft clay plaster, a muted palette and carefully placed windows create a quiet, tactile atmosphere. Built using a prefabricated timber frame system, the house is highly insulated and airtight, enabling excellent energy performance. Heating is provided via a river-source heat pump, supported by solar panels, MVHR, and a green roof. Chalk River House reflects a sensitive approach to rural architecture - one that is low-impact, long-lasting, and carefully attuned to its context, offering a thoughtful model for future countryside homes.