“Replacing timber chapel with contemporary family home providing open plan living with great connection to outside spaces ”
Project Background
Our clients in West Sussex own a 1930s chapel, originally built for a local preparatory school. The building itself is a simple timber frame and has been extended, reconfigured and converted to residential use. The result is a less than ideal living solution, much in need of energy efficiency improvements, housed in a building of little architectural design merit.
The first option for consideration for the owners was whether the chapel could be remodelled and modernised, making the property easier to live in and more energy efficient. However, the costs associated were considerable and would still result in a less than satisfactory house. This option would also attract VAT, making the overall project costs significant enough to consider a new timber frame house.
Having decided to opt for a bespoke new home, the couple then approached a kit house manufacturer to help them design a unique house to replace their existing dwelling. Together they made a pre-planning application to establish if this would be acceptable to the local planning authority.
The response was positive from the planning authority for a demolition and new build, but the experience of working with the kit manufacturer was less positive. There was a lack of architectural design contribution from the kit manufacturer, resulting in the couple either designing their own home without expert support or opting for an off the shelf package. Once again, they felt the result would not be the bespoke home of their dreams.
When the couple read about our approach here at The Complete Oak Home, they understood the true value of our design process – we design for our client and our client alone, no in-house-style or company portfolio to influence the outcome of your dream oak home.
The House
From entering this contemporary house you walk through a hallway which opens up into an open plan living space with the kitchen. Also on the ground floor there is a fourth bedroom along with a study, utility room and a separate family room. Surrounding the house is a roofed platform on the same level as the ground floor with a seating area. Built up on only one side of the house is the first floor, leaving the open plan living space single storey, which has the master bedroom with an en suite and dressing room, and a family bathroom shared between the two other bedrooms.
Progress
Having appointed us to undertake our Feasibility and Briefing Package the couple have now commissioned us to undertake a complete turnkey project for them. Planning permission has been granted.