Brief: The objective of this project was to transform a tired and modest sized dormer bungalow on a large plot into a large and exciting contemporary house. The project needed to be buildable by the owners as an ambitions self-build project, also involving a new garage with accommodation over.

Gaining planning permission would also be a challenge, as the design was to double the size of the existing property. Working with the line and form of the neighbouring houses, having a flexible attitude to minor alterations and by providing overshadowing diagrams, permission was granted in 2019.

The brief also included the requirement for a fully accessible ground floor master bedroom and as many sustainable features as possible to future-proof the home with eco and green solutions.

Outcome: The design includes an open plan kitchen / dining area, which incorporates a sitting area and an impressive double height master bedroom. The most impressive part of the design is the extensive use of glass to allow views of the rear garden from every room. The finished house will be filled with light and smoothly flow from the indoors out.

Sticking to the sustainability brief, the construction is largely highly-insulated timber frame, with supporting engineered steelwork. It is clad in natural larch timber, with eco windows that combine softwood timber frame with aluminium facing. An air source heat pump was installed for the all new underfloor heating system. The roof is also standing seam steel, which is 100% recyclable.