The Oaks

HIGHLIGHTS:

· The design development with the clients resulted in a striking contemporary new house balancing strong horizontal and vertical elements and complementary material palette.

· The massing and layout shaped were shaped by the path of the sun, views within the site, the new entrance approach and obscuring from view of the neighbouring properties.

· Contemporary flat roof design also kept the ridge height below that of the neighbours and helped gain a 300% increment over the original bungalow.

· Immersive 3D design model used to test spatial quality and client experience.

· Zero-carbon energy strategy set the basis for planning department support of the project.

· Ground source heat pump provides the most efficient heating system for underfloor heating.

· High-capacity solar PV array with intelligent battery storage will provide energy throughout the year and access to cheap tariff energy storage in winter.

· Passive solar design with integrated summer shading and solar-control glazing heats the spaces during winter months, whilst limiting gains through summer.

· A special cooling system was added to the Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery system.

· Highly insulated blockwork construction provides efficiency, thermal mass, and durability.

· Negotiation for the retention of permitted development rights on the house enabled the later addition of the indoor swimming pool with little resistance from planning. The design mirrors the house sitting next to it, and benefits from the same long garden views.