Skylark

Project Country: UK

Brick Manufacturer: Randers Tegl

Architect: House Of EM Ltd

Brickwork Contractor: Kirk Yates Building

Placed on the edge of the historic market town of Ludlow, this new-build two-storey house is surrounded by hills and open countryside views. The project was developed as a contemporary family home for a young family, with a design influenced by mid-century architecture and its emphasis on natural light, honest materials and a close relationship between internal spaces and the landscape.

The house was carefully positioned to make the most of its setting, capturing sunlight throughout the day and framing long views across the countryside. Internally, the plan was arranged to create a clear sequence of spaces for family life, work and guests. The kitchen opens onto the family dining area and snug, forming the everyday heart of the home and creating a relaxed space centred around a fireplace. A more formal living space is located a few steps down, while the guest suite and study are positioned within the end wing. The family bedrooms are arranged on the first floor, each with uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscape.

Clay brick plays a central role in the project. Its natural tone, texture and solidity help anchor the house within its rural setting, giving the new building a sense of permanence and material depth. The brickwork provides a robust external skin, while its subtle variation in colour and surface softens the overall appearance of the house. As light moves across the elevations during the day, the brick creates changing shadows and a tactile quality that adds depth to the form of the building.

The use of clay brick also supports our wider architectural approach: simple materials used honestly and carefully. Rather than relying on applied decoration, the character of the house comes from proportion, massing, light and material expression. The brick gives the building warmth and visual weight, balancing the openness of the glazing and helping the house sit comfortably within the landscape. Its durability and familiarity also make it well suited to a family home, creating a building that feels grounded, calm and built to last.

The project was developed from concept design through planning and into construction drawings, with close coordination during the build to ensure the original design intent and key details were retained. The result is a calm, light-filled family home that combines contemporary living with a grounded, material response to its countryside setting.