Two of the owners of Benjamin Allen purchased a building plot which fell under the South Downs National Park authority. Although planning was already in place for a small, contemporary bungalow, they were hoping to re-submit an application for something more traditional. They also wanted to add a basement to the property due to the topography of the site.
This was a self-build in the truest sense of the word! Juggling work commitments while building a house is a challenge but having good sub-contractors on board helped them on their way enormously.
Thankfully, despite changing their design concept, the application went smoothly, and planning was approved without any hitches.
The house is based on a traditional design with an external facade which benefits from high quality timber sash windows, handmade York bricks and handmade clay peg tiles. The property showcases a standard Benjamin Allen specification and incorporates full heat recovery and underfloor heating throughout.
The basement was constructed using waterproof in-situ concrete, with the above structure being created with an energy efficient Benjamin Allen structural timber frame.
A glass link separates the two wings of the house, so each area has its own unique identity. Traditional materials on the outside hide a contemporary open planned internal layout. The vaulted roofs are a feature of this design, echoing the spacious feel throughout.
The house has had many compliments, especially as it can be viewed from the top of the South Downs. Perhaps the feedback we are most proud of is that it looks as if it is a conversion rather than a new build, due to the materials chosen.
This build serves to demonstrate both how attractive and enhancing our homes are. It’s an example of how creative and intelligent design can be used to achieve incredible results that are held in high regard by neighbours and visitors alike.
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