This small (but perfectly formed) housing development in the quiet Staffordshire village of Hammerwich was constructed by Tame Homes, a company that only builds a select number of houses each year in handpicked locations. Each property is therefore something special and truly unique.
This particular development, called Horizon, is a modern twist on the area’s traditional rural buildings. It offers the charm of countryside living with all the modern conveniences and contemporary benefits you would expect from prestige homes, including high-end fixtures and fittings. There are nine stunning homes in total set across two courtyards with panoramic views across the beautiful surrounding countryside.
The design concept was for the development to imitate the structure of traditional farm properties: one large six-bedroom detached home (resembling the main farm house), with two smaller neighbouring cottages (where farmhands might live), and then terraced homes surrounding the courtyard areas (which resemble stable buildings). All the homes are constructed in traditional brick and block with quality materials inside and out.
As many properties in the immediate vicinity are rendered, Tame was able to choose from a wide variety of different bricks for the build. The decision was made to select Ibstock’s Ivanhoe Westminster bricks for both their quality and aesthetic attributes: the bricks are sufficiently robust but also extremely attractive with natural variations in colour creating handsome facades.
The elevations reflect Horizon’s rural setting and traditional influences via small design features, including dogtooth detailing in the bricks below the verges. This departure from orthodox soffits and fascias differentiates Horizon from other developments. Meanwhile, the windows are adorned with brick sills (a unique feature) plus little pockets of stone - another nod to traditional rural architecture.
With Belize oak coloured doors, porcelain floors, Laufren sanitary ware and Hansgrohe taps creating impressive interiors, it was important for the exteriors to match this quality. The scheme achieves this via the inclusion of pleasing clay roof tiles, black composite front doors, drives block-paved in Tegula Heather, and paths paved in grey riven paving slabs. All of these features compliment the Ivanhoe Westminster bricks and ensure a first-class finish.
Tame aim to create inspirational houses for aspiring lifestyles where design is in the detail and people feel truly at home. Horizon clearly achieves this, which is why the development is in the running for multiple national awards.
