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A modern two-story house with dark exterior panels, large glass windows, and stone accents, set on a grassy lawn with an overcast sky.

Hidden House – a striking new home in the Surrey green-belt

Home › Case Studies › Hidden House – a striking new home in the Surrey green-belt

Aluminium casement windowsBalustradesGlass-to-glass corner windowsPicture windowstheEDGE2.0Tilt and turn windows

Nestled within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Hidden House is a striking replacement for a 1960s bungalow in Abinger Hammer. Designed by Duncan Foster Architects, the new home sits within the green belt, where strict planning regulations demanded a careful approach to scale, volume and architectural expression.

Designing within green belt constraints

To work within planning limits, the architectural concept centred on an efficient, compact form. The house was conceived as an upside-down home: the main living spaces, master suite and snug are positioned at the upper ground level, maximising light and panoramic views, while guest accommodation is discreetly carved into the landscape at the lower level.

The northerly orientation of the site offered a unique opportunity. With minimal concerns about overheating, the north elevation could incorporate extensive glazing to frame the sweeping views across the valley. By contrast, glazing to the south was strategically controlled to minimise solar gain while still allowing light to penetrate deep into the home.

Capturing the landscape

The design’s guiding principle was to connect every space to the surrounding countryside. Carefully positioned windows ensure that every room enjoys an uninterrupted visual link to the horizon, while the rooftop forms respond to the natural angles and contours of the wider landscape.

Frameless glass-to-glass corner glazing plays a key role in enhancing lateral views, opening up a visual sweep of more than 180 degrees that captures both the view in the distance and the immediate landscaping.

At the southern terrace, glazing was planned so that the view extends straight through the house; standing outside, the eye is drawn through the interior towards the dramatic scenery beyond.

Re-imagining the balcony through glazing

Planning restrictions on additional volume, including balconies and overhangs, presented a challenge. Instead of consuming valuable permitted volume with external structures, the design used IDSystems frameless glass balustrades and sliding doors to create a balcony-like experience within the room.

With large openings and minimal frames, the space becomes effectively dual-purpose: when the glazing is open, the interior transforms into an outdoor room, achieving the benefits of a balcony with none of the planning penalties.

Choosing IDSystems

Following a competitive tender to three glazing specialists, the architects selected IDSystems for their technical expertise and balanced approach to aesthetics, practicality and performance.

Given the site’s exposed location, the glazing needed to be both robust and visually minimal. theEDGE2.0 sliding doors offered exceptionally slim vertical sightlines to allow for almost uninterrupted views and slender frame depths that reduce the visual bulk. In addition IDSystems reputation for high-performance engineering ensured the products were suitable for an exposed rural setting and being able to source a complete package of products from a single manufacturer was hugely important

This last point was critical. By supplying fixed glazing, sliding doors, tilt-and-turn windows and bespoke glazed links, as well as a glass roof, IDSystems provided a single point of responsibility – streamlining coordination for architect, contractor and client.

A home shaped by light

The entrance level is composed of three distinct volumes – the master suite, the main living space, and a separate snug – linked by glazed connections that break up the massing and introduce light into the circulation spaces. A picture window at the stairwell frames the arrival experience and emphasises the changing roof forms above.

A quiet, comfortable, connected home

Both architect and client are delighted with the finished house. The glazing plays an essential role in shaping the comfort, tranquillity and elegance of the internal environment.

“The glazing enables the design to come alive,” explains architect Duncan Foster. The result is a calm, refined and deeply connected home that sits harmoniously within its landscape – made possible by the performance, flexibility and detailing of the IDSystems product range.

Location: Abinger Hammer, Surrey
Architect: Duncan Foster Architects
Main contractor: Luff and Padgett
Photos: Chris Taylor Photography

Gallery

Modern house with large glass windows showing interior rooms; a person is walking inside a glass corridor connecting two sections.
Modern two-story house with large glass windows, black siding, stone walls, and a staircase leading to a patio on a grassy lawn, surrounded by trees.
A bright hallway with light wood floors, black railing, wall-mounted shelves, and a large window offering a scenic view of trees and fields.
Modern bedroom with large glass windows and sliding door, offering a clear view of green fields, trees, and distant hills under a cloudy sky.
A modern, light-filled interior with minimal furnishings, wooden floors, a dining area with a view of greenery, and a dark sculpture near a stone accent wall.
Hallway with light wood flooring, modern railings, artwork on walls, two statues flanking a tapestry, and a view into a bright, open living space.
View from a modern black-roofed building overlooking a large, neatly mowed grassy field with trees and hills in the background.
A modern entryway with light wood floors, a large black front door, and a wall featuring multiple empty black picture frames. An open door leads to another room.
View looking up at a modern building’s glass ceiling with a horizontal beam, large windows, and a lattice panel on the left side.
Modern house with large glass windows and dark exterior panels, built on a sloped lawn with stone accents and surrounded by trees and greenery.
Close-up of a modern house with large floor-to-ceiling windows, black exterior paneling, and a red chair visible inside near a tree.
Modern black house with large glass windows and angular rooflines, surrounded by grass and partially framed by tree branches.
Modern house exterior with dark vertical siding, large glass windows, and stone supports, showing reflections of trees and partial view of indoor furniture.
Modern house with large glass windows, stone base, and angular design, overlooking a grassy yard with trees and a wooden fence in the background.
Close-up of a corner glass wall next to a paved stone walkway and landscaped garden with green plants and dark mulch.
Glass patio door with black frame set in a stone wall, adjacent to an outdoor staircase and a white metal bench on a tiled patio.
Stone wall with beige steps leading to a glass door framed in black; the door reflects outdoor scenery and shows indoor chairs.
A modern house with black exterior walls, large glass windows, an indoor plant, stone path, and small garden area with shrubs in the foreground.
Modern house with stone and dark wood exterior, large glass windows, reflecting garden with blooming flowers and a pond in the foreground.
Modern house with dark wood siding, large glass window, and stone feature wall, overlooking a pool and garden with flowers; hills visible in the background.
A close-up of a dark gray sign with the words "HIDDEN HOUSE" in white capital letters, mounted next to a black surface.
A modern building with a black metal roof and a section covered in pink foliage, set against a lush green landscape and distant hills.
Modern two-story house with large glass windows, black siding, stone facade on lower level, outdoor staircase, and green lawn.
Modern two-story house with large glass windows, stone accents, black paneling, and a sloped green lawn in the foreground.
Modern two-story house with large glass windows, stone and dark panel exterior, and outdoor stairs surrounded by greenery.
Modern two-story house with dark exterior, large glass windows, stone lower level, wide steps, and a landscaped grassy yard.
Modern house with large floor-to-ceiling windows, dark siding, and stone accents, situated on a grassy hill with trees in the background.
View from a rooftop overlooking a large grassy field with trees and hills in the background under a cloudy sky.
Modern house with dark vertical siding and stone accents, flat metal roof, and large glass windows overlooking a green rural landscape.
A wide grassy field with scattered trees, bordered by hedges and rolling hills in the background under a cloudy sky.
Bedroom with a wooden bed, wall art, a side table with a lamp, a bench, and a large glass window overlooking trees and a grassy landscape.
A large window in a modern building overlooks a green landscape with trees and rolling hills; stairs and a geometric light fixture are visible inside.
A modern living room with large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooks a green countryside landscape. A pink chair, houseplants, and artwork are visible in the room.
Large window overlooking a green landscape with trees and rolling hills under a cloudy sky; part of a modern light fixture is visible indoors.
Modern living room with large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a green landscape, beige sofas, a patterned rug, and contemporary decor.
A large green ceramic vase with two handles sits on a light wood floor near a glass window, overlooking a grassy area and stone steps outside.
Large window in a modern living room overlooks a green, rolling landscape with trees and distant hills under a cloudy sky.
Modern home exterior at dusk with large glass windows showing indoor living and dining areas; a person walks through the central corridor between the two sections.
A hallway with light wood floors, black grid shelves on the left wall, a glass window with countryside views, and a black metal railing around a stair opening.
Modern living room with large floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of a green lawn and trees under a clear sky.
Aerial view of a modern, angular house with black exterior, large windows, tiered stone patio, rooftop garden, and surrounding green lawn.
Modern house with large glass windows and dark exterior, situated on a grassy hill with stone foundation and steps leading to the entrance.
Modern two-story house with large glass windows, dark siding, and stone accents, situated on a grassy slope at dusk. Indoor lights illuminate the interior.
Modern house with large glass windows, dark exterior panels, stone accents, and a flat roof, set on a sloped grassy lawn with landscaped garden areas.
Modern house with large glass windows showing interior rooms; a person is walking inside a glass corridor connecting two sections.
Modern two-story house with large glass windows, black siding, stone walls, and a staircase leading to a patio on a grassy lawn, surrounded by trees.
A bright hallway with light wood floors, black railing, wall-mounted shelves, and a large window offering a scenic view of trees and fields.
Modern bedroom with large glass windows and sliding door, offering a clear view of green fields, trees, and distant hills under a cloudy sky.
A modern, light-filled interior with minimal furnishings, wooden floors, a dining area with a view of greenery, and a dark sculpture near a stone accent wall.
Hallway with light wood flooring, modern railings, artwork on walls, two statues flanking a tapestry, and a view into a bright, open living space.
View from a modern black-roofed building overlooking a large, neatly mowed grassy field with trees and hills in the background.
A modern entryway with light wood floors, a large black front door, and a wall featuring multiple empty black picture frames. An open door leads to another room.
View looking up at a modern building’s glass ceiling with a horizontal beam, large windows, and a lattice panel on the left side.
Modern house with large glass windows and dark exterior panels, built on a sloped lawn with stone accents and surrounded by trees and greenery.
Close-up of a modern house with large floor-to-ceiling windows, black exterior paneling, and a red chair visible inside near a tree.
Modern black house with large glass windows and angular rooflines, surrounded by grass and partially framed by tree branches.
Modern house exterior with dark vertical siding, large glass windows, and stone supports, showing reflections of trees and partial view of indoor furniture.
Modern house with large glass windows, stone base, and angular design, overlooking a grassy yard with trees and a wooden fence in the background.
Close-up of a corner glass wall next to a paved stone walkway and landscaped garden with green plants and dark mulch.
Glass patio door with black frame set in a stone wall, adjacent to an outdoor staircase and a white metal bench on a tiled patio.
Stone wall with beige steps leading to a glass door framed in black; the door reflects outdoor scenery and shows indoor chairs.
A modern house with black exterior walls, large glass windows, an indoor plant, stone path, and small garden area with shrubs in the foreground.
Modern house with stone and dark wood exterior, large glass windows, reflecting garden with blooming flowers and a pond in the foreground.
Modern house with dark wood siding, large glass window, and stone feature wall, overlooking a pool and garden with flowers; hills visible in the background.
A close-up of a dark gray sign with the words "HIDDEN HOUSE" in white capital letters, mounted next to a black surface.
A modern building with a black metal roof and a section covered in pink foliage, set against a lush green landscape and distant hills.
Modern two-story house with large glass windows, black siding, stone facade on lower level, outdoor staircase, and green lawn.
Modern two-story house with large glass windows, stone accents, black paneling, and a sloped green lawn in the foreground.
Modern two-story house with large glass windows, stone and dark panel exterior, and outdoor stairs surrounded by greenery.
Modern two-story house with dark exterior, large glass windows, stone lower level, wide steps, and a landscaped grassy yard.
Modern house with large floor-to-ceiling windows, dark siding, and stone accents, situated on a grassy hill with trees in the background.
View from a rooftop overlooking a large grassy field with trees and hills in the background under a cloudy sky.
Modern house with dark vertical siding and stone accents, flat metal roof, and large glass windows overlooking a green rural landscape.
A wide grassy field with scattered trees, bordered by hedges and rolling hills in the background under a cloudy sky.
Bedroom with a wooden bed, wall art, a side table with a lamp, a bench, and a large glass window overlooking trees and a grassy landscape.
A large window in a modern building overlooks a green landscape with trees and rolling hills; stairs and a geometric light fixture are visible inside.
A modern living room with large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooks a green countryside landscape. A pink chair, houseplants, and artwork are visible in the room.
Large window overlooking a green landscape with trees and rolling hills under a cloudy sky; part of a modern light fixture is visible indoors.
Modern living room with large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a green landscape, beige sofas, a patterned rug, and contemporary decor.
A large green ceramic vase with two handles sits on a light wood floor near a glass window, overlooking a grassy area and stone steps outside.
Large window in a modern living room overlooks a green, rolling landscape with trees and distant hills under a cloudy sky.
Modern home exterior at dusk with large glass windows showing indoor living and dining areas; a person walks through the central corridor between the two sections.
A hallway with light wood floors, black grid shelves on the left wall, a glass window with countryside views, and a black metal railing around a stair opening.
Modern living room with large floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of a green lawn and trees under a clear sky.
Aerial view of a modern, angular house with black exterior, large windows, tiered stone patio, rooftop garden, and surrounding green lawn.
Modern house with large glass windows and dark exterior, situated on a grassy hill with stone foundation and steps leading to the entrance.
Modern two-story house with large glass windows, dark siding, and stone accents, situated on a grassy slope at dusk. Indoor lights illuminate the interior.
Modern house with large glass windows, dark exterior panels, stone accents, and a flat roof, set on a sloped grassy lawn with landscaped garden areas.

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