This new-build three bedroom home won planning permission at appeal and is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty. A key element of the proposal was to utilise sustainable technology including mechanical ventilation heat recovery, an air source heat pump and solar film.
The main open plan living space incorporates an exposed ceiling of Pollmeier BauBuche timber which is a laminated veneer lumber sourced from a forest with an excess of beech. BauBuche has also been used for interior joinery and window cills. The building is clad in untreated larch which will weather to a silvery grey colour over time.
The project was completed in October 2022.
Location: Goudhurst, Kent
Photography: Jonathan Yates
The brief was to create a light, airy and neutral space which could later be personalised by the client using furniture and artwork. The layout was reconfigured to allow for more generous living spaces, as well as creating an additional ensuite to the master bedroom. A new large opening was created between the sitting room and hallway to allow light into what was previously a dark corridor.
All of the built-in joinery is bespoke and was carefully designed by SGA to create a balance of display and storage spaces. The bathrooms have maximised the available space and previously blocked up windows have been uncovered to allow more natural light into these rooms.
The original timber sash windows were fully restored to ensure the character of the flat was retained. Traditional architraves, skirtings and cornices were specified in keeping with the period property, which is a traditional mansion block close to Sloane Square. The flat was fully re-wired and re-plumbed and new finishes and fittings were installed throughout.
The project was completed in August 2018.
Location: Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London
Photography: Yates Create Ltd
Two new build holiday lets have been designed in the Sussex countryside. Conceived as simple volumes the two units are connected via a glazed link which allows for internal access between them, should they be rented by one large party.
The vertical black timber cladding references the Sussex vernacular style and high quality, aluminium framed sliding doors have been specified, allowing for expansive views over the countryside. Electricity will be provided via solar panels installed on nearby barns and electric car charging points have been included as part of the scheme.
Internally, each unit has a separate bedroom and bathroom as well as an open plan living space. The larger of the two units has a mezzanine platform providing additional sleeping accommodation. Both units have generous rooflights to allow for star-gazing in this area of rare dark skies. Natural finishes have been chosen throughout.
The holiday lets have been designed as pre-fabricated units which will be made off site and transported by lorry. This minimises the time required for installation on site: reducing what would have taken months, to a matter of weeks.
This victorian property was fully refurbished and a single storey rear extension added to allow for an open plan kitchen and dining space leading onto the garden.
The new extension included large crittall doors to maximise the views across the adjacent park.
The project was completed in July 2022.
Location: Tunbridge Wells, Kent
This single storey extension replaced an old conservatory at the rear of the property. By removing a number of structural walls a new open plan family space was created consisting of the kitchen, dining area and snug.
The works included a large roof-light in the extension as well as generous sliding doors leading onto the garden; allowing natural light to flood deep into the interiors. New fittings and finishes were installed including underfloor heating, oak flooring and new kitchen joinery.
The project was completed in September 2019.
Project location: Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Photography: Yates Create Ltd
Built in 1894 this property was originally a foundry but fell into disrepair over the last decade and suffered from a number of unsympathetic alterations. There is a triangular, tapered yard to the rear of the building which had previously been used as an external storage space.
The property has been transformed into a private, accessible home with a separate commercial storage area to the rear. The redesign includes a platform lift and generous circulation space to allow easy access between and throughout each level. The front and flank walls were repaired but the rest of the structure required replacement.
The original Victorian details on the front elevation, including the brick rubber arches, were carefully restored, while the later alterations were removed to create a cohesive and attractive elevation which is visible from the adjacent conservation area.
The triangular yard to the rear of the house has been converted into a single-storey storage facility.
The project was completed in 2021.
Project Location: Latimer Road, London
Photography: R Chivers
The property has been extended and refurbished to create an open plan family space consisting of a kitchen, dining area and snug. Large bifold doors and an openable rooflight mean daylight floods the space and provides an instant connection with the garden. During the strip out works it was decided to retain an area of the original brickwork that had been exposed, adding character and warmth to the snug area.
As well as the new open plan area the utility room, shower room, hall, landing and bathroom were refurbished including new finishes, underfloor heating, bespoke joinery and decorations.
The project was completed in September 2021.
Project location: Tonbridge
Main Contractor: Harlequin
Photography: Yates Create
A single storey side and rear extension were added to this family house to create a generous open plan kitchen, dining and sitting area, as well as a new study / guest suite. The extension was designed to match in with the existing property which is located within a conservation area. The project was completed in October 2020.
Project Location: Richmond, London
Photography: R Chivers
The clients bought the property in a state of disrepair and a full refurbishment was required. A key design decision was made early on to relocate the front door and the staircase. This allowed the ground floor to be reconfigured to create a generous hall and sitting room and a large open plan living space, including a new kitchen and dining area, at the rear of the property. The works included a single storey extension with bi-folding doors opening onto the garden.
The roof required total replacement and two additional dormer windows were added at the rear to create a master bedroom and a new bathroom on the second floor. Four skylights were installed over the stair to allow natural light into what otherwise would have been a dark, internal space.
The property is located within a conservation area and the works were carried out under a combination of permitted development rights and planning permission. The project was completed in February 2020.
Project Location: Sevenoaks, Kent
Photography: R Chivers
A dramatic extension was designed to this single storey property overlooking the historic Dunorlan Park in Tunbridge Wells. A generous vaulted space was created to provide an additional sitting room with a large expanse of glazing to maximise the views over the park and countryside beyond. The extension was designed to ‘book-end’ the previously refurbished house and materials were chosen to match to create a cohesive composition.
The project was completed in January 2020.
Project Location: Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Photography: Yates Create
Three bespoke bathrooms were designed for this flat in Sloane Square - each slightly different in style to reflect the requirements of different members of the household.
The project was all about the attention to detail - from the selection of the marbles to the specification of the sanitaryware and bespoke joinery.
The project was completed in May 2020.
Project Location: Sloane Square, London
Photography: R Chivers
This Edwardian property in the Tunbridge Wells conservation area has been refurbished and upgraded throughout including the fitting of new luxury bathrooms and a new kitchen. Bespoke joinery was designed to maximise storage and a number of reclaimed items were carefully integrated into the design. A previously dark first floor landing area was transformed by the installation of a slot window to allow natural light in. The project was completed in 2018.
Project location: Tunbridge Wells
Main Contractor: Harlequin
Photography: Yates Create
This chalet-style property was originally built in the 1950s and further changes, including a ground floor extension and partial loft conversion, had been carried out in the 1980s; both of which had been completed well below current building standards.
While the client wanted to retain the existing footprint of the property, a full refurbishment and redesign was required, including upgrading the existing building fabric.
The property is within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and planning permission was secured for a number of external changes including new door and window openings and re-landscaping the garden. Large Velux roof lights were installed together with high performing aluminium/timber composite Velfac doors and windows. The existing balcony was stripped back and rebuilt with a glazed balustrade, providing unobstructed views to the countryside beyond.
The entire first floor structure required replacement and there was the opportunity to transform the unused roof space into an additional bathroom and bedroom on this level. Because of the extensive structural works required, the layout was completely redesigned to create a more efficient plan. The ground floor structure was upgraded and insulated; underfloor heating was installed below the new engineered timber floor. Both chimneys required repair works and the flues were re-lined to allow for wood burning stoves in both the main living room and dining room. New bathrooms, kitchen and internal finishes throughout were designed as part of the project.
The project was completed in August 2017.
Project Location: Mayfield, East Sussex
Photography: Yates Create Ltd
A feasibility study was undertaken to explore options for the combination of two adjacent mews properties in the Knightsbridge conservation area. Several alternatives were developed, one of which included the introduction of a double height space in the main living area to create a visual connection between the levels and to allow natural daylight deeper into the plan.
The proposed scheme includes the excavation of a new basement containing a gym, wine store and home office.
Working closely with the client, the preferred layout has been developed into a pre-application planning advice submission to Westminster council.
Project Location: Westminster, London