Project: Replacement detached Dwelling.

The clients purchased the original bungalow with the aim to demolish it and replace with a new modern two storey dwelling for themselves. The site is approximately ½ an acre, set in countryside on the outskirts of Lawshall with beautiful countryside views to all sides.

The clients played an active role in the design, working with us throughout. We initially engaged in a pre-application meeting with the planning officer at Babergh District Council.  The main outcome from this was that we should be mindful of the height and the volume of the proposed new dwelling.

The clients wanted the building to be a modern contemporary design, using well-functioning materials. For this we used a mixture of Hardiplank pre-finished cement fibre boarding and a modern acrylic render on the external walls. The roof is natural slate. This combination of materials and colours created the crisp, contemporary building that they have today.

The room layout brief was to create a dwelling with 4 bedrooms and en-suites on the 1^st floor. All rooms and areas upstairs were to take advantage of the wonderful views, including the upstairs landing for a ‘coffee spot’, a special space to sit, relax  and have a cup of coffee whilst admiring the views. There are 2 staircases allowing for ease of access to the 1^st floor from either end of the house. The downstairs layout was to have an open plan family Kitchen-dining room, a Pantry, Living room, Study, Snug, WC, and Utility room. The clients are keen gardeners who enjoy entertaining, the house would need to engage well with the garden and the outside generally. The design brief should also allow for a degree of flexibility where the west end of the house might be annexed off, in the event of any younger or older members of the family requiring their own space. A single garage/workshop was added to the design at a later date.

Once planning permission was granted, the technical requirements were to be as economically viable and Eco friendly as practically possible with a timber frame construction. The building is very well insulated and utilizes an air source heat pump.

The result is that the house is an attractive modern well laid out house that is easy to live in, it interacts well with the garden and if required, has the ability to adapt to accommodate other members of the family creating a flexible home, fit for the future.

The clients are extremely pleased with the outcome and are now enjoying the experience of living in their house.