Deacon + Richardson Architects were asked to design a modern new build home on the grounds of a former cottage. With the rural context strongly influencing our vision, we crafted a luxury 2-bedroom home that extends over a single storey. To ensure a seamless integration with the garden wall, we set to work developing a design that could merge effortlessly. Eventually, we settled on a scheme that resembled a quaint cluster of agricultural buildings.

You enter the property centrally, maximising the efficiency of the plan. Our design then centres around a generously sized living room with an open fire and expansive glazed sliding doors. To further enhance the connection to its surroundings, we arranged the kitchen and family dining room to the east, providing picturesque views of a tree-lined avenue. On the western side of the plan, we dedicated the space to the tranquil bedrooms and bathrooms, offering a sense of privacy and relaxation to these rooms.

Externally, our client was inspired by the material composition of the Life Skills Centre at Chailey Heritage. To maintain architectural harmony, we carefully curated the external material palette to match that of the neighbouring agricultural buildings. By pairing traditional red multi-stock brick for the walls with plain clay tiles and standing seam metal for the roofs, we successfully crafted a contemporary bungalow that pays homage to its agricultural surroundings.