Mecanoo complete glass villa on a UK lake

A two-floor, all-glass villa, on the lake, surrounded by woods.

Dutch architecture practice Mecanoo has just completed a lake house in Lechlade, UK. Photography: mariashot.photo

(Image credit: mariashot.photo)

last updated 5 August 2022

This lake house by Dutch architecture firm Mecanoo takes living by the water to a whole new level. The structure, was not only designed to open up to the views of the lake and greenery around it, but is in fact built within the water – accessible by a single bridge that was carefully angled and calculated so that it doesn't disturb the existing plant life.

The house, a vacation home for a private client, is situated in Britain’s Lechlade, part of the famous Cotswolds' Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Gloucestershire. The architects wanted to highlight and preserve the natural context as much as possible celebrating the leafy surroundings with large expanses of glazing and corner windows, to make the residents feel like they are virtually living on the water.

Entryway bridge to a two-floor, all-glass villa, surrounded by woods. — *The architects used timber and glass for the house’s cladding to help it blend easily into its natural surroundings. Photography: mariashot.photo*

The house was ‘designed from inside out', they explain, ‘creating uninterrupted views of the surrounding nature while providing shelter and intimacy'. A strong connection with the lake and the outdoors, as well as a modern yet classic design enhances the house's ‘sense of timelessness', they add.

Inside, clean, streamlined aesthetics meet modern facilities, all set against the backdrop of a green oasis of trees that hides the house from view from the nearby plots and street. At the same time, the lake view is left open and uninterrupted. Full height voids and views through across different levels of the house underline this openness further.

A terrace set on the lake side allows the residents an al fresco spot to sit back and take in the wonderful natural context and this retreat's striking panoramic views of the water.

Entryway bridge to a two-floor, all-glass villa, surrounded by woods and a lake to the right. — The stunning structure sits on the water, peeking through a green oasis of trees. *Photography: Blue Sky Images*

Back view of the two-floor, all-glass villa, surrounded by woods and a lake. We see a deck with garden furniture. Swans are swimming in the lake. — The house, built for a private client, was designed with large expanses of glass to capture the surroundings. *Photography: Blue Sky Images*

View of the wooden bridge that leads to the entryway. Trees surround the bridge, and we see a part of the all-glass villa. — A bridge leads the visitor into the house. *Photography: Blue Sky Images*

Side view of the all-glass villa. We see a deck that surrounds the villa, and the wooden bridge that leads to the entryway. — The angle of the bridge was designed so as to preserve the trees on site. *Photography: mariashot.photo*

View of the wooden bridge from the entryway and the trees that surround it. — At the same time, such an entrance enhances a sense of privacy. *Photography: mariashot.photo*

Side view of the two-floor, all-glass villa, surrounded by woods and a lake. We see a deck that goes all around the villa. — The house ‘combines transparency and sustainability’, explain the architects *Photography: mariashot.photo*

Interior view of the two-floor, all-glass villa. White walls, with black columns, dark wood floors, and stairs. — The structure was designed from inside out, for uninterrupted views. *Photography: mariashot.photo*

Interior view of the two-floor, all-glass villa. White walls, with black columns, dark wood floors, and stairs. Through the hallway, we see floor-to-ceiling windows. — With the interiors, the architects went for a modern, yet timeless design. *Photography: mariashot.photo*

Interior view of the two-floor, all-glass villa. To the right, we see a deck that surrounds the villa through the floor-to-ceiling windows. To the left, we see a fireplace that's built into the wall. — Large openings and corner windows make the residents feel like they are living on water. *Photography: mariashot.photo*

Interior view of the two-floor, all-glass villa. To the far wall, we see white bookshelves and to the right, we see the trees to the floor-to-ceiling windows. A gray sofa sits against both walls. — Elements such as shelving, storage and the fireplace help divide and define different areas in the house. *Photography: mariashot.photo*

INFORMATION

For more information visit the website of Mecanoo

Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).