PROJECT: The Corten House
LOCATION: Graven Hill, Oxfordshire

A new life for a growing family

Among the early residents at Graven Hill, the UK’s largest custom build development near Bicester, Marc and Laura set out to create a family home shaped around their own ideas and lifestyle.

Designed and built from scratch

Their busy professional lives in London left little time to navigate the complexities of a traditional self-build. A custom build development therefore offered a more straightforward and efficient route to securing a plot and realising their vision.

Key priorities emerged: generous natural light, a feeling of openness, and flexible living spaces

The placement of windows became especially important, helping to frame views and create a close connection to the outdoors. Material choices also played a significant role. The couple were drawn to the visual richness and texture of charred timber and weathering steel, which were incorporated to give the home a distinctive yet natural feel.