Form follows function: The Y-House

In the sensitive Green Belt setting of Great Eversden, PiP was commissioned to replace an existing inefficient 1980s home with a contemporary design that would embrace the natural beauty of this spectacular 4.2-acre plot.

The Challenge

The plot presented both opportunity and challenge, with a busy roadside location at the front hiding magnificent countryside views to the rear. The brief also required a significant increase in space (350 sqm) while working within strict Green Belt planning rules.  

Privacy was paramount for the owners, frequent travellers who needed a secure, low-maintenance property they could ‘lock up and go’ with confidence. Above all, they sought exceptional architectural merit – a building that would make a statement while respecting its countryside setting.

The Design

Our Y-shaped design elegantly solved these challenges. The distinctive Y-form shields the home from the road while capturing panoramic south-facing views, as well as reducing the visual impact of this spacious dwelling.

The material palette creates a dialogue with the surroundings. Corten cladding extends across both upper walls and roof, while handmade Peterson bricks in vertical formation anchor the ground floor. The cantilevered upper floor prevents staining on brickwork below, creating striking visual interest.

Hidden within, a steel frame supports a concrete slab forming both ceiling and floor, while a waterproof basement houses a golf practice room. A complete smart home system controls lighting, heating, security and blinds – perfect for when the owners travel.

We secured planning permission for this ambitious design through a strategic phased approach to navigate Green Belt restrictions. High-quality CGI images and a landscape visual impact assessment showed how the building would enhance rather than harm its setting, securing early approval from planning authorities.

The Result

The finished Y-House transforms everyday living through thoughtful design.

Inside, spaces flow naturally while maintaining separation where needed – from the corner master bedroom with private balcony views, to a strategically placed home office providing natural surveillance while maintaining work-life boundaries.

Free from fossil fuels, the house combines air source heat pumps, mechanical ventilation and sustainable materials to achieve near net zero.

Large sliding doors with level thresholds blur boundaries between inside and out. And beyond the formal terrace, a rewilding project with hundreds of trees, wildflower meadow and pond creates a beautifully biodiverse landscape.

With exceptional design that balances practicality, sustainability and long-term thinking, PiP Architects has created a sensitive home that made Green Belt development possible.