Nestled on the banks of the Thames just outside Oxford, River House offers an unexpected slice of California modernism in the English countryside. Designed by Selencky Parsons Architects, the riverside home reimagines rural living through a combination of white concrete, glass, and timber, replacing a red-brick bungalow that had previous occupied the site.
At the heart of this project is an extensive, custom glazing package that enables the seamless indoor-outdoor experience that defines the home’s character.
Architect Sam Selencky drew inspiration directly from the home’s riverside setting, envisioning a design that appeared to float above the water’s edge. The structure is formed from crisp horizontal concrete planes, softened by warm timber battens, which lend texture and depth to the minimalist white palette.
“Water was a key part of the design,” explains Selencky. “The river plot is so rare, and we wanted to make sure the house was in constant engagement with it.” This connection is achieved through architectural layering: reflective water features, glazed elevations, and carefully extended horizontal elements that mirror the stillness of the Thames.
Glazing Innovation and Integration
IDSystems’ bespoke glazing systems were integral to achieving the architect’s vision of openness, light, and connection to nature. Large expanses of floor-to-ceiling glass wrap around the house, breaking down the boundaries between the inside and out.
The key systems include open corner sliding doors that peel away to open the living spaces directly onto a limestone terrace – an effect reminiscent of Californian architecture, but adjusted for the English climate through high-performance thermal and weather performance.
In conjunction with the sliding doors large expanses of glass throughout the interior of the house ensure uninterrupted river views from nearly every room, whilst fixed frame picture windows and frameless balustrades deliver a clean modernist aesthetic.
The precision detailing of the glazing, including flush thresholds allows internal and external spaces to merge effortlessly.
Light filled interiors
The three-storey home comprises five bedrooms, including a penthouse master bedroom with its own private terrace overlooking the river. The open-plan ground floor features a double-height living area, dining space, and kitchen – all arranged along a continuous glazed façade of sliding doors and windows that open onto the pool deck and gardens.
Internally, limestone flooring and pale timber finishes echo the external materials, while IDSystems glazing extends the visual continuity through every level of the home.
Connection to Water
Every aspect of River House is designed to engage with water. The entrance bridge spans a shallow reflecting pool, doubling as a light well for the basement below. At the rear, the patio provides direct access to the Thames, allowing the owners to moor a small day boat. At night, recessed lighting plays off the rippling water, creating an atmosphere of calm reflection.
River House is a rare example of American-style modernism executed with British restraint and craftsmanship. The striking design demonstration of how modern materials, technical expertise, and architectural sensitivity can come together to transform a site.
Location: Oxfordshire
Architects: Selencky Parsons
Main Contractor: RMS Oxford
Photos: Jim Stephenson Photography
