Case study
Eavesdrop
West Sussex
Rural Passivhaus reinvents agricultural building tradition
Set within the bucolic High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in West Sussex, Eavesdrop represents a masterful blend of traditional agricultural aesthetics and contemporary sustainable design. This innovative retirement home, designed by Tom Dowdall for his parents, showcases how traditional materials like Keymer Goxhill clay roof tiles can be incorporated into modern architecture to create a building that both honours its surroundings and meets the demands of future-focused sustainable living.
A sensitive approach to rural architecture
The challenge faced by Tom Dowdall Architects was to create a home that would seamlessly integrate into the grounds of a Grade II listed lodge while meeting the specific needs of its retired occupants. The solution was a single-storey dwelling that draws inspiration from traditional agricultural buildings of the High Weald, featuring distinctive sweeping roofs that appear to have settled naturally into the landscape over time.
The choice of Keymer Goxhill clay roof tiles played a crucial role in achieving this aesthetic harmony. These tiles complement the varying ridge heights of the roof, which rises dramatically to its highest point in the southwest corner. This architectural feature not only creates a striking visual impact but serves multiple practical purposes: it protects the central courtyard from prevailing winds, provides essential shade during summer months, and creates a hierarchy of interior spaces flooded with natural light.
Innovative design meets traditional materials
The roof’s design is particularly noteworthy for its careful consideration of both form and function. The varying ridge line, reminiscent of traditional barns that have settled differentially over the years, is enhanced by the textural quality of the our Goxhill tiles. These tiles not only provide excellent weathering properties but also contribute to the home’s exceptional thermal performance, working in concert with the building’s Passivhaus standards.
The bespoke eave details showcase the innovative use of traditional materials, with the roof designed so that rainwater falls directly from the tiles into a ground drain system. This feature, which gave the house its name ‘Eavesdrop’, allows for rainwater harvesting to maintain the surrounding gardens – a perfect example of how traditional materials can be incorporated into sustainable design solutions.
Sustainability at its core
Built to stringent Passivhaus standards, Eavesdrop achieves remarkable energy efficiency with an airtightness of 0.74 ACH50 and U-values lower than 0.11W/m²K for the walls, floor and roof. The Keymer Goxhill tiles contribute to this performance while ensuring the building maintains its agricultural aesthetic, demonstrating how traditional materials can be successfully integrated into highly sustainable contemporary architecture.
Tom Dowdall, the architect, commented: “The choice of roofing material was crucial to achieving our vision of a building that would look as if it had always been there. Keymer Goxhill clay tiles provided the perfect solution, offering both the traditional appearance we sought and the performance characteristics needed for our Passivhaus approach.”
A family achievement
What makes Eavesdrop particularly special is its delivery as a self-build project, with Tom Dowdall managing the construction process alongside his family. This hands-on approach allowed for exceptional attention to detail in the installation of materials, including the careful laying of the clay roof tiles to achieve the desired aesthetic effect.
The result is a home that has garnered significant recognition, including being shortlisted for the 2024 RIBA House of the Year and winning the 2024 RIBA South East Award. The judges particularly commended its exceptional energy efficiency, which “adds to the experiential comfort without compromising the clear architectural ambition.”
Future-proof design
With an impressive predicted design life of over 120 years, Eavesdrop demonstrates how thoughtful material selection can contribute to long-term sustainability. The roof has even been designed with future adaptability in mind, with detailing that anticipates the installation of photovoltaic arrays at a later stage.
The clients’ delight with their new home is evident: “Our retirement home is heavenly. It is warm in winter, cool in summer, comfortable, on a single level, and wheelchair-friendly throughout with no ledges, steps or thresholds. We are bathed in peace, tranquility, calmness and restfulness.”
This successful integration of traditional materials with contemporary design principles has created a home that not only meets the immediate needs of its occupants but is also prepared for future adaptations, making it a compelling example of sustainable architecture in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Tom Dowdall commented: “Technical expertise guided the roof’s complex geometry from the early stages, while their Keymer Goxhill clay tiles provided the perfect blend of traditional aesthetics and Passivhaus performance. The result is a building that appears to have always belonged – a testament to the seamless integration of design and materials.”
