location: loughton, essex

type of project: design of a new dwelling on an existing six garage site

client: private

status: completed to feasibility stage

description: a brownfield site housing six derelict garages locked in on three sides by private gardens and fronting a road.  The proposed exterior of the cutting-edge house is very private with the focus on an inner courtyard space - avoiding intrusion into the neighbouring spaces.  The arc shape of the roof reacts to the site context so that the roof dissipates as it reaches the adjoining buildings whilst also allowing light to flood through the interior.  The internal design creates a hierarchy of rooms in a single storey dwelling with the main living space offering higher ceilings than the bedrooms.  Sustainable features have been incorporated into the design including a grass roof, rainwater harvesting and solar water heating

165: a new build that had a previous planning approval which the client wished us to ‘architecturally update’,  this resulted in a visually and spatially altered house providing a dynamic family residence