Without tight planning constraints, the risk wasn’t refusal; it was losing focus. The brief didn’t call for architectural statement-making. It called for a house that worked properly, all year round.
The client wanted open, connected living spaces that felt comfortable in winter as well as summer. Orientation, daylight and solar control therefore mattered more than form.
Buildability mattered too. The design needed to be robust and economical, avoiding unnecessary complexity that would add cost without improving how the house was used.
We developed the scheme directly from the brief and tested it early. The design changed very little from first sketch to final build, which helped maintain clarity through planning and delivery.
The rear extension was carefully oriented, with a deep roof overhang used to control solar gain. It shades the space in summer while allowing lower winter sun to reach deep into the plan.
Internally, the layout follows a simple logic. Living spaces are placed along the garden edge, where light and outlook matter most. Utility and storage sit centrally, where daylight is less critical.
We stayed closely involved through construction, resolving detailing decisions on site and ensuring the original intent wasn’t diluted as the build progressed.
The completed house is calm, light and easy to live in. Large openings connect the main living spaces directly to the garden. Practical spaces are integrated without dominating the plan.
The result is a house shaped by clear priorities, not one that relies on later changes to make it work.
