Featured in AJ Magazine
‘Valley View Gardens’, A New Form Of Housing
The four innovative two-storey homes aim to serve as a compelling testbed for backland developments. These thoughtfully designed residences were commissioned by a local entrepreneur who specifically requested a cohesive series of homes to be constructed on a previously neglected backland plot of land. The derelict site, situated behind a semi-detached row of typical suburban houses, posed numerous challenges, such as strict restrictions on access, concerns related to privacy, and issues of overlooking into neighboring properties.
A Slice of the Suburban
To address these challenges, each of the four homes has been meticulously designed to 'slice' a traditional gable into four distinct sections, with the larger monopitch form cleverly shifted forward. This architectural approach opens up valuable opportunities to shield undesirable views, provide sheltered access points, and regulate the influx of natural light.
Hit-&-Miss Brick Facades
Seeing Is Believing, Controlled Illumination
The light permeates the interior in a variety of dynamic and captivating forms throughout the dwellings: the expansive sky is beautifully framed by the strategic openings created through the massing, effectively complemented by hit-and-miss brick screens. These screens, along with the thoughtfully positioned rooflights, work harmoniously to illuminate the staircases below, enhancing both the aesthetic appeal and the sense of warmth within the spaces. Eco-friendly home design services Brighton.
A Distinctive Brick Tapestry
Captivating Vertical Bands Of Light
The brickwork is dynamic and thoughtfully conceived designs not only enhance the overall architectural aesthetic but also actively invite interaction and engagement from everyone who encounters and experiences them. The carefully crafted stair is designed to align harmoniously with the brick façade, thereby creating captivating vertical bands of light that dance across the inner brick wall. The elegantly open treads lead seamlessly to a bridge, which floods the space below with natural light, beautifully aligning bedrooms and stunning views together across multiple levels. A uniform material palette featuring light-coloured brickwork and slate roofs is employed consistently across the four homes, creating a striking contrast with the rich existing context.
