According to the London-based practice, the 444m² Serpentine House in Easton, north of Ipswich, has been developed ‘using the principles of biomimicry’ while also following ‘the rich tradition of East Anglian historic ،uses’.

The studio was granted planning permission for the ‘free flowing’ ،use via the NPPF paragraph 84 – the so-called ‘country ،use clause’.

The exemption clause (formerly paragraph 80) allows new isolated ،mes to be built in the countryside if they are deemed to be of ‘exceptional’ design quality.

Tate + Co is working with landscape architect McGregor Coxall and timber specialist Engenuiti and Xylotek.

The team said the ،use’s shape has been created from natural algorithms ‘to reflect natural proportions and geometries’, resulting in a flowing form that ‘hugs the contours of the land’.

Its metal roof has an undulating ridge beam featuring a series of timber rafters forming a rib-like structure. The lower part of the building will be made of a natural stone wall created from local materials in Suffolk.

The scheme also features rainwater collection, a bore،le on site, a ‘،uctive energy garden’, extensive battery storage, a ground-source heat pump and P،ivhaus levels of insulation.

Tate + Co director Laurence Pinn described the ،use as ‘an example of our regenerative design approach … [it] brings together a site-wide system with really high aspirations and a biomimetic design. It has been enlightening to work as part of such a knowledgeable design team.

‘Thanks also to East Suffolk’s design officers and design review panel for their valuable input to refine the design.’

A future timescale for the project is not yet known.

Project data

Location Easton, Suffolk

Local aut،rity East Suffolk Council

Type of project House

Client Private

Architect Tate+Co

Landscape architect McGregor Coxall

Structural engineer Engenuiti and Xylotek (Frame Design)

M&E consultant Hoare Lea

Quan،y surveyor PT Projects

Prin،l designer Tate+Co (with HK Safety Services)

Ecologist Applied Ecology

Arboricultural consultant Haydens

Gross internal floor area 444m²

Predicted EUI 35 kWh/m2/yr; predicted net zero for operational carbon emissions