Downley House – in pictures

Downley House in the South Downs: ‘Not huge for its kind, but big enough for most of us,’ writes Rowan Moore Photograph: Nick Kane/Birds Portchmouth Russum Architects Ltd.

Downley House's castle-like exterior: the architects ‘revive an idea you don’t hear much of these days,’ says Rowan Moore, ‘which is that a building can be romantic’ Photograph: Nick Kane/Birds Portchmouth Russum Architects Ltd.

Downley House Photograph: Nick Kane/Birds Portchmouth Russum Architects Ltd.

Downley's dining area echoes a medieval great hall Photograph: Nick Kane/Birds Portchmouth Russum Architects Ltd.

The structure is built of a thoroughly modern material, cross-laminated timber, a sort of super-plywood that can form solid walls and comes from sustainable sources Photograph: Nick Kane/Birds Portchmouth Russum Architects Ltd.

Downley House Photograph: Nick Kane/Birds Portchmouth Russum Architects Ltd.

‘The house feels relaxed, but with moments of drama’ Photograph: Nick Kane/Birds Portchmouth Russum Architects Ltd.

A side view of the dining area, part of a brief that also included separate spaces for each member of the family Photograph: Nick Kane/Birds Portchmouth Russum Architects Ltd.

‘The corners of rooms are cut away to make big glass windows, a device outside Lutyens’s traditionalist range’ Photograph: Nick Kane/Birds Portchmouth Russum Architects Ltd.

A view through to the garden and the retained wall of an old house Photograph: Nick Kane/Birds Portchmouth Russum Architects Ltd.