Morning arrives gently at Ridgemere.
As the sun rises over the Malvern Hills, the first light reaches the principal bedroom before moving through the house, lingering in the living room towards dusk. Outside, the pond mirrors the changing sky, young trees cast longer shadows across the meadow, and the landscape continues its quiet evolution.
In every room, the garden and the rolling hills remain in view. The relationship between architecture, landscape and light has shaped every key decision throughout the project.
After many years in South East London, Andy and Tracey were ready for a different pace of life. They found it on a site overlooking the Malvern Hills, where a modest farmhouse and a collection of agricultural buildings once stood. Early conversations explored extending and refurbishing the existing house before an architect-designed new-build home emerged as the strongest response to both the site and the way they hoped to live in the years ahead.
Designed by David and Sandy Greenhill from Vivid Architects, with interiors by Roomsmiths and delivered by Beckwood as principal construction contractor, Ridgemere Phase I reflects careful collaboration between client, architect, interior designer and the construction team. Rather than seeking to dominate its surroundings, the house was designed to sit comfortably within, creating a contemporary home that feels connected to the landscape in every season.
SHAPED BY LIGHT
The team at Vivid Architects presented Andy and Tracey with several concepts. Through discussion and refinement, the final design emerged.
The house follows the natural contours of the land, its low profile softened by a wildflower roof by Sika Sarnafil. Large windows frame the landscape while the building itself was carefully designed around the movement of daylight.
Andy still keeps one of David’s early sketches showing the path of the winter sun across the plan.
The architecture shapes the light. The landscape shapes the experience of that light.
“Ridgemere was conceived as a house that belongs to its landscape rather than dominates it. The building’s form, orientation and windows were carefully considered so that changing light and surrounding views became part of everyday life. The undulating and folded green roof was informed by the Malvern Hill backdrop profile, with the conceptual plan formation being influenced by research into the Malvern Hills fascinating geological land formation,” says David Greenhill, Director & Architect at Vivid Architects.
As we enter the main living space, the kitchen by Roundhouse introduces a rich palette of deep-toned timber, burgundy cabinetry, pale stone and warm brass detailing. The surrounding timber slats visually connect it to materials used elsewhere in the house, allowing the kitchen to feel distinct while remaining part of the wider architectural composition.
CONTEMPORARY INTERIOR DESIGN
Working alongside the architects and Blain Parrott at Beckwood, Cheryl Duerden and Jen Danks at Roomsmiths developed an interior palette of soft yet vibrant colours and natural textures that complements the architecture and building materials comprising Woodupp timber, stone, brick and bronze.
Although Tracey had developed many of her interior design ideas before the construction Phase I was complete, Cheryl and Jen became trusted collaborators as they evolved. What began with advice to Andy on a specialist Luxaflex motorised blind system gradually extended to paint palettes and wallpaper selections, bespoke commissioned headboards and lighting and bathroom colour and finish schemes
Roomsmiths role supported Tracey and Andy through the small but important decisions that ensure cohesion, balance and a distinctive character to a contemporary home.
“The interior design was always intended to support the architecture and garden. We focused on natural materials, calm and restraint, creating spaces that feel contemporary yet understated, while allowing the views, changing daylight and surrounding landscape to remain the defining features of the home,” says Cheryl Duerden, Interior Design Director at Roomsmiths.
A LANDSCAPE TAKING SHAPE
If Andy became immersed in the detail of the build, Tracey devoted herself to what would happen beyond its walls.
Having completed studies in horticulture and garden design at a local college, Tracey developed a landscaping plan inspired by the naturalistic planting philosophies of horticulturalist Nigel Dunnett. She also found inspiration from the New Perennial Movement born from the creativity of Dutch landscape designer Piet Oudolf.
Over the past eighteen months, Tracey has spent much of each day outside digging new borders, planting tall grasses and perennials and refining the landscape. The garden has begun to take on form and shape, largely the result of her own determination and effort rather than a large landscaping team.
Wide herbaceous borders now draw the eye towards the pond; young trees are beginning to establish themselves and the Hartley Botanic greenhouses and office have become a central tenet of the garden’s rhythm.
COLLABORATIVE RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION
Andy speaks warmly about the collaboration that developed throughout the build.
For Beckwood, an Oxfordshire-based construction company specialising in architect-led residential homes, the role extended well beyond the build.
Working closely with Andy, Tracey and Vivid Architects, Blain Parrott, Director, contributed another perspective to the design conversations, helping protect the design intent while suggesting practical alternatives that would ensure the same architectural outcome.
“We loved working with David and Sandy at Vivid Architects, together with the interior design team at Roomsmiths. This home found its place in the most stunning location in Worcestershire; it felt like a real privilege to build a home for Andy and Tracey’s finest years,” says Blain Parrott, Director at Beckwood.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
Today, it is difficult to imagine the farmhouse and agricultural buildings that once occupied the site.
Ridgemere now feels comfortably settled within its surroundings. The house has changed very little since its completion, but the landscape around it continues to evolve rapidly. Each season brings fuller borders, stronger planting and an ever-closer relationship between architecture and landscape.
Andy still walks the Malvern Hills most days. Tracey is usually found in the garden, continuing the vision she began during the early stages of construction, when the first seeds were already growing in the greenhouse, long before the landscape outside took shape.
Like the best gardens, Ridgemere will continue to evolve, quietly enriching the setting around a contemporary home that was designed from the outset to belong to its landscape.
Planning a Contemporary New-Build Home?
Considering a replacement dwelling, an energy-conscious new build, or an architect-designed home in Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Worcestershire, or the surrounding counties? Beckwood delivers carefully managed residential projects from groundworks and construction through to bespoke interiors and final detailing.
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