Moss House
Liz Lake Associates was commissioned to provide landscape design proposals for Moss House, a derelict former farm in Lancashire which has a mill, stables and barns and is grade II listed. It was constructed in 1846 by Mr W A F Saunders based on the plan of a ‘Model Farm’ which were prevalent during the mid-19th century as part of the industrial revolution. The plan consists of a main mill with a ‘U’ of stables and cattle pens surrounding a courtyard to the south. The farm, which has fallen into a poor state of repair, sits within 54 acres of rolling countryside with access to significant bridleways. The proposals are to renovate the existing buildings and yards into a unique equine country estate. In addition to the renovation of the existing fabric, proposals include a contemporary orangery and a glazed link to a ‘pool pavilion’ containing sauna, hot tub and solarium.
By designing the grounds with a view to creating a fully functional estate, the scheme had a dual purpose, both as a family home and working farm. The linking element in the scheme is the landscape design, unifying the historical and contemporary architectural additions in an overall masterplan which was both inward and outward looking. Liz Lake Associates worked closely with the architect to ensure planning permission was granted whilst satisfying exacting client requirements. An overall landscape masterplan scheme evolved responding to the immediate context whilst having its own special sense of place with bespoke water and lighting features befitting this unique site.
