The clients first approached Gregory Phillips Architects to explore extending and remodelling their existing home. Following a detailed appraisal, we concluded that neither the house nor the site could accommodate the quality of home they ultimately aspired to create. Rather than compromise the design, we advised them to seek an alternative property with greater potential.
Six months later, they returned having secured a nearby site occupied by a dilapidated
house with planning permission for its replacement. While the approved scheme met planning requirements, it did not reflect their aspirations.Our brief was to redesign the house within the parameters of the existing consent, creating a far more refined and liveable home while requiring only a variation of condition application rather than a new planning application.
The architectural concept reinterprets the elegance and permanence of a Georgian country house through a contemporary lens. The formal, symmetrical front elevation is enriched with carefully considered contemporary brick detailing inspired by the craftsmanship and attention to detail associated with the Arts and Crafts movement.In contrast, the rear elevation is highly articulated with a distinctly contemporary composition of projecting forms, deep reveals and extensive glazing, creating a strong connection between the interior and the landscape.
Arrival is centred on a dramatic three-storey entrance hall, where a sculptural floating cantilevered staircase forms the focal point of the house. Framed views extend directly through the building to the gardens beyond, immediately reinforcing the relationship between the architecture and its setting.The principal living spaces occupy the rear of the ground floor and are designed for contemporary family life. A generous open-plan kitchen, dining and living area is complemented by a separate preparation kitchen, allowing the main space to remain uncluttered for everyday living and entertaining. Full-height glazing opens onto expansive terraces, creating a seamless transition between the house and the landscaped gardens.
The gardens are conceived as an extension of the living accommodation rather than simply the setting for the house. A series of generous terraces, lawns and richly planted borders provide spaces for entertaining, relaxation and family life.
Central to the brief was an 18-metre swimming pool for daily exercise, complemented by a full-width leisure pavilion positioned along the rear boundary. Finished in matt black, the pavilion recedes into the landscape, visually extending the garden while housing wellness and leisure facilities.
The principal bedroom suite occupies the full width of the rear elevation, providing privacy and uninterrupted views across the gardens. A full-width balcony allows the clients to enjoy the landscape throughout the day, while the well-proportioned frontfacing bedrooms overlook the formal approach and surrounding semi-rural setting.The second floor provides additional guest bedrooms together with a large reception room, offering flexible accommodation for visitors or live-in staff.
Throughout the interiors, natural materials including timber, stone and leather are employed with restraint and precision to create a calm, sophisticated atmosphere. The understated palette provides the perfect backdrop for the clients' collection of artwork and sculpture, resulting in a home that is both timeless and deeply personal.
