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Our task was to design a house on a small backland plot - something neighbours will almost always object to in principle - after an attempt by another architecture practice had stalled. With this in mind, we needed to design something that would please the council, the neighbours, and of course, the client. There was also an added twist: while a common problem with garden developments is a lack of access, in this case we were replacing a garage, which meant there was an existing entrance from the road. However, despite this access, the council didn’t think it was safe for cars to go in and out.
We strategically avoided the highway safety problem by proposing a car-free development, leveraging The London Plan 2021. Helpfully, this also allowed us to create more indoor and outdoor space. Embracing a contemporary design - which we knew this particular council had a fondness for - we crafted a unique two-bedroom home with a basement courtyard and angled windows, maximising light and space.
The result is a distinctive addition to the street, one that embraces its unusual plot and place, rather than trying to pretend it has always been there. All in all, the client was able to maximise the financial potential of the plot and an additional home was added to the area's housing stock; wins all around.
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