About The Osiers
Designed by award-winning Shaw & Jagger Architects, whose work has been featured on Grand Designs, The Times and leading architectural publications, The Osiers seamlessly blends world-class architecture with nature-inspired living, in what is set to become a defining property of the area.
Accessed from Eccles Lane, a gated, tree-lined boulevard first passes a 1,200 sq ft garage complex before arriving at the main residence. The contemporary villa offers almost 9,000 sq ft of internal living accommodation, in addition to more than 2,000 sq ft of terraces at first floor level, providing spectacular vistas across the surrounding landscape.
It is from this landscape and its historic links to the basket weaving industry that the building’s architectural form takes its inspiration. From the late 18th century until the early 20th century, Bispham Green and the surrounding areas were characterised by fields of willow trees, known as Osiers. The collaboration between Shaw & Jagger and engineers Webb Yates seeks to pay homage to the landscape of yesteryear, with the cross-laminated timber frame being dominated by tree-like columns, inspired by the sculptural form of the willow tree. Not only are these columns a continuation of the landscape but, by removing the need for structural walls, they afford almost limitless possibilities in terms of the layout of the internal accommodation. Together with subtle alternations to the building’s façade, this flexibility will allow the purchaser to create an entirely bespoke home which caters to their own requirements.
Irrespective of the final internal layout, the focal point of the ground floor will undoubtedly be the magnificent, double-height great hall with its stained-glass atrium roof. With a formal dining space, wine room and plentiful seating, this room offers an entertaining space like no other which is sure to be the envy of all who visit. Either side of the great hall, the villa’s design envisages a ‘Living Wing’ and a ‘Leisure Wing’.
The Leisure Wing of the villa comprises a large games room that opens out onto the lakeside terrace, with far-reaching views across the countryside. Also within this wing are an office, gym, sauna, jacuzzi, bathroom and changing room plus ground floor bedroom suite opening out onto a woodland terrace. A large semi-circular art gallery forms an entrance into the wing from the great hall. At first floor, accessed by a galleried landing, are three large bedroom suites with ensuite bathrooms and dressing rooms. Each of these bedrooms opens out onto a private roof terrace, offering residents and guests alike a tranquil space to take in the stunning scenery.
The Living Wing comprises a spectacular kitchen/dining room that opens out onto the south facing terrace for alfresco entertaining. The kitchen comprises a long island unit linking two structural columns, creating a truly magnificent space. The kitchen links to an intimate family room which also accesses the south terrace. A splendid drawing room opens out onto both the south terrace and the lake terrace. This space, like the kitchen, features two of the dramatic, tree-like structural columns that create a wonderful warm formality to the space. The Living Wing is completed on the ground floor by one of the finest wine rooms ever conceived. This wonderful semi-circular space is defined by another of the great tree columns which support the atrium above. The wine room allows guests to enjoy your collection and, if lucky, sample a vintage in the formal dining hall. At first floor is the master bedroom suite, including a large bath and shower room with a separate dressing room. The suite also accesses a vast private terrace with 270° panoramas; the perfect place to enjoy a coffee in the early morning or share an intimate nightcap before retiring.
Externally, there is garaging for three or more cars, garden stores and provision for a biomass boiler using the willow plantation to heat and power the house. Also designed by Shaw & Jagger, the landscaping is an important feature of the overall design. Its purpose, not only to create a wonderful environment but to harvest the yield and produce a heating and power source for the house and reduce its reliance on non-renewable fuel sources.
The lake-side walks around the grounds provide reflections of the building set within the planted landscape, whilst low level osier planting and reed beds provide year-round colour. Full glazing to the drawing room, family room and kitchen provide visual links to the formal garden space, entrance boulevard and wraparound terraces. These terraces form a perimeter to the building, affording views across the countryside and garden and providing an attractive area for alfresco dining and enjoying the breath-taking surroundings. The designed landscape is truly remarkable in that it achieves a biodiversity net gain (BNG) of 106%.
This outstanding residence calls for a discerning purchaser seeking a unique opportunity to experience the most spectacular lifestyle, in a privileged environment, at the forefront of a new concept of a sustainable lifestyle; passive, powered and heated by the land.