This is a project for a 5 bedroom house in Huesca, Aragon, within the Spanish Pyrenees. The material expression of the house and its form derives from the site and the clients brief. The use of local, reused stones provides the primary construction material and dominates the external and internal appearance. The orientation of the house is critical. The continental climate in Northern Spain...
Description: This is a recent project awaiting planning approval for an artists studio in Kent. The proposal involves a SIPS system of prefabricated panels which would be over clad with re-used panels of phenolic plywood cut into random strips and stained black. The orientation has been carefully calculated to ensure the best possible light qualities required for a studio without glare from...
This project is a successful competition entry for a visitors centre in Epsom, Surrey. Our building proposal attempts to meet the key criteria inherent for any architectural project; that is, a balance of functionality, budget, and aesthetics.The aesthetic or poetic motivation for our proposal comes firstly from its setting and use and secondly from its purpose as a tribute to those...
The White House is a private competition entry for a site in the UK. The following text was submitted as part of our successful competition entry: A beautiful house is one which we can believe sustains beautiful and authentic lives. Whether its form and expression results from the heft of generations or a singular vision for how we might live, a...
Description: This project involved a complete restoration of a Grade II listed property in Sloane Square. The house is situated in a conservation area within the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, London. The layout of the original apartment had to be reconfigured to suit the client requirements. The original decorations and installations had to be replaced as they were lacking sufficient quality...
Renovation and extension to a XVI century cottage in Essex. Our starting point for the design proposals will take reference from the original house and the local barns of Essex. The key to the design success of this project is to provide a new element that relates, but do not mimic the old house, and that will act as a subservient element within the whole...
St Paul Street / Location: Islington, London / Date: 2006 / Client: Caroline Wagstaff This project for a house extension involved considerable consultation and design development, initially with the planning authority and then with the client and builder, in order to achieve the high standards expected by the brief. We explored the use of bespoke concrete and hardwoods to a high specification and...
Casa La Cleta / Location: Huesca, Spain / Date: Current / Client: Javier & Ana Oros This is another project for a new, family house in Northern Spain. The site lies at the foothills of the pyrenees close to an 11th Century village called Bolea. The design idea developed in direct response to the specific characteristics of the landscape. Travelling through and over...
Pattern House / Competition / This is a project for a new house in Northern Spain. The site lies at the foothills of the pyrenees close to an 11th Century village called Bolea. The design idea developed in direct response to the specific characteristics of the landscape. Travelling through and over this part of Spain we have recorded images of rockface (cut...
The brief for this project was to provide a retreat for the client, away from the noise and chaos created by their small children, but still attached to the main house. The project also involved a reformation and restoration of the existing interior. The property is a typical semi-detached house in north London, with a deep garden. The design was conceived as a...
Solar House / Location: Wiltshire, England / Date: 2005 / Client: Hatch Estates This scheme seeks to build-on the partial remains of 17th century stone walls. From its northerly, more public side the new proposals are barely visible intrusions that appear to grow out of these existing structures. From the south, private side the building reveals itself to address a dramatic view of...
Kenya House / Location: Kenya / Date: 2008 / Client: Withheld This is a project for this beach house in Kenya. Our proposal was to provide a walled in, white-rendered, box-like dwelling. The intense heat and subsequent need for shade and cross ventilation, together with the need for high level security, dictated its form and roof shape. The design provides a house with...
Kent / Date: Current / Client: Greg & Inge Finn Description: This project for a house conversion in Kent involved a complete renovation of every element of the interior and exterior. When we visited the original house we were struck by how ugly it was. We even suggested the client considered selling up or building a new house. For various reasons this was...
Nueno House / The site for this project is within a new village compound close to the village of Nueno, in the Spanish pyrenees. The layout is partly determined by local regulations regarding height, footprint and materials. These limitations help to harmonise the village development and provide the architect with a pallette to work with. The design was also inspired by the Fischer...
Chiswick High Road / A house in the back garden of a Victorian semi. The proposals are described as a raised garden, with a planted roof at the same height as the adjacent garden walls, to prevent issues of overlooking. The central courtyard space would provide light and ventilation to the middle of the plan. ...
This project was for a rear and roof extension to a Victorian terrace house in the Arlington conservation area in Islington. Using vertical timber cladding to form a curved rear extension (see image) its form a response to the needs to respect rights of light to the neighbouring properties. Despite commending its design, the planning authority refused permission stating the proposals would be “visible” to...