Ahead of the curve: the architect behind the Gherkin on designing his own home

A fascination with geometry has been a constant throughout Shuttleworth’s life and career, with Crescent House reflecting this both in form and process. “It’s much easier now to create complex shapes,” he says. “When I was designing Crescent House, there weren’t as many computers around, so I was drawing everything by hand and overlaying it, before translating it digitally.” That hands-on approach contributes to the home’s sense of delight. “Playfulness is important,” he adds. “People walk through the house and feel it’s a joyful place to be.”

The house has been conceived as a journey, with moments of surprise at each turn. The entrance leads into a double-height gallery anchored by a striking fireplace, “as large as one in Warwick Castle,” Shuttleworth notes. Turn a corner, and the main living space opens up dramatically.

Designed for comfort

Despite its sculptural form, Crescent House is carefully engineered for year-round comfort. Expanses of low-E coated glass reduces heat loss, meanwhile its insulated concrete structure draws inspiration from traditional white-rendered Wiltshire cottages, and helps to lower heating demand, reduce CO₂ emissions and maintain a stable indoor climate.

Shuttleworth emphasises the importance of collaboration in achieving this. “Enlisting the right engineers is critical,” he says. “Handily, my mates are all at the top firms in the world,” he jokes. The project brought together Arup, whose previous projects have included the Centre Pompidou and Sydney Opera House, construction firm Laing O’Rourke and J. Roger Preston, known for its work on the HSBC Main Building in Hong Kong.

The landscape is a natural extension of the architecture, its curves echoed in the garden design. Wildflower meadows, an orchard and mature planting surround the house. “The pond has become a focal point for wildlife, and we’ve had deer, kingfishers, even otters visit,” Shuttleworth says. A separate circular studio, known as the Drum, offers a flexible retreat immersed in nature. “It’s where I go to paint and draw,” he adds.