The Black Timber House, designed by HAPA Architects, is a contemporary eco-home located on the edge of the village of Rodmell, within the South Downs National Park in East Sussex, England. Completed in 2022, the award-winning residence is situated in a bucolic context, replacing a mid-century bungalow that had a less harmonious relationship with the landscape. The design is a sensitive and modern response to its setting, nestled among ash trees and fields, with its dark timber exterior allowing it to recede softly into the scenery. The house was conceived with a strong focus on sustainability, with the goal of creating a home that respects its surroundings and has minimal energy consumption. HAPA Architects employed a range of passive and active strategies to achieve this. Key features include an A-rated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), high levels of insulation and air tightness, and a passive solar design. The house also generates its own power via photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof and uses a high-efficiency air source heat pump for low-temperature underfloor heating. A mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system ensures a constant supply of fresh air, contributing to a stable and calm internal atmosphere regardless of external weather conditions. The architectural design features two distinct stacked forms, which create interesting overhangs and roof spaces. The lower level is built on a concrete plinth, while the upper, private bedroom spaces are housed within a simple gabled form that reaches up into the canopies of the trees. The transition from horizontal timber cladding on the lower level to vertical timber on the upper level accentuates this distinction. A covered entrance and a raised, open veranda connect the house to the rear garden and fields. Inside, the vaulted ceilings of the bedrooms create impressive double-height spaces, and a wrap-over window adds dramatic natural light. The interior continues the minimalist and elegant aesthetic with natural materials. The kitchen features bespoke cabinetry crafted from cross-sawn, smoked, and white-oiled engineered oak planks, a material that also serves as the timber flooring. This provides a rustic yet refined texture that complements the home's contemporary feel. A natural patinaed zinc worktop works beautifully with the other natural finishes. Credits Architecture and Design: HAPA Architects (Stuart Paine, Director) Photography: Jim Stevenson Timber Flooring and Bespoke Cabinetry: Chaunceys Timber Flooring Location: Rodmell, Lewes, East Sussex, UK Clients: Louise and her partner