Located on a plot occupied by an existing single-storey dwelling built in 1965, we were commissioned to demolish the structure and construct a new, modern house with improved orientation.

The project’s main challenge lay in the fact that the clients were still residing in the existing property. Consequently, the construction of the new building within the garden space had to be meticulously planned in two phases. Phase 1 involved constructing the main volume to allow the clients to move into their new home. Once occupied, the existing house was demolished to proceed with Phase 2: the construction of the porch and the swimming pool.

Given the plot’s trapezoidal geometry, the building’s massing was composed as a series of stepped volumes with varying heights and roof types, thereby ensuring optimal solar gain for the home’s main rooms.

On the north face, fronting the upper street, the garage and main entrance are located, screened from view to maintain privacy, while the ground floor windows are positioned to overlook the garden.

regarding the functional programme, the day zone—comprising the kitchen, dining room, living room, and guest rooms—is situated on the ground floor. The first floor, meanwhile, accommodates the two family en-suite bedrooms and a study designed with a more private character.

The living-dining area is designed to be wrapped in a large porch structure. This feature allows for beneficial solar gain during winter through its openings, whilst in summer, the addition of awnings transforms it into an effective solar shading device.

The material palette proposes a white render façade (ETICS) combined with adjustable timber louvres and black powder-coated aluminium windows.