During initial surveys of the site, it was discovered that the Flint House sits directly above the seam of chalk that runs from
Kent to
Norfolk. This informed the architect's decision to use flint (a sediment of chalk) and limestone as the principal building materials. Despite the abundance of naturally-occurring stone on the Waddesdon estate, the stone used to construct the house was sourced from quarries in Norfolk. The stones for the exterior were hand-knapped by
flint knappers John Lord and Simon Williams in Norfolk. The technique was the same as that used to craft squar- section hand axes, originating in prehistoric
Denmark.. The house's interior features an open-plan ground floor, with the kitchen at the center of an almost
enfilade arrangement comprising a dining room, a small sitting room, and a drawing room, beyond which lies a study. The study was inspired by the Baron's room at nearby
Waddesdon Manor, where the private study of Baron
Ferdinand de Rothschild contains a small spiral staircase leading to his bedroom directly above. Within the Flint House, the study too contains a steep spiral staircase leading directly to the principal bedroom. The upper floor also contains two additional bedrooms. Each of the three bedrooms has a small adjoining bathroom with a sunken bath, and its own private roof terrace in the stepped roof. Throughout the design, the natural elements of water, air, and fire have been used. Air is created by the use of double height spaces and abundance of large windows which not only light the house, but bring the landscape within. Water is used to create a sense of fluidity and reflection: a small stream running near the house has been diverted to run through and around the building before flowing to a nearby pool. The stream has been further enhanced by small
dams, which limit and adjust the flow of water, from a slow, subtly flowing
rill to a more agitated, fast flowing stream. In one recessed corner of the house, the stream forms a pool around, which a glazed flint
grotto, illuminated by small led lights, has been designed. While inside the house, the water is visible through a glass floor, which seems to create a bridge from the drawing room. Fire is reflected through a glass panel at the rear of the drawing room fireplace into the pool of the grotto at its rear. The house has a small annex designed in the same style, detached from the main house, but linked to it through an architectural scheme that presents a visual avenue flowing from the top of the stepped roof down the ground. Then transforming into a rising stepped grass path leading to the annex. The annex itself is a smaller version of the main house intended for staff or guests. The interiors were decorated and furnished by
David Mlinaric, using a mix of modern contemporary pieces and older items from the
Rothschild collection. ==Grounds==