Room for all Stages

Drawing on experience gained from large-scale concrete structures, the joint architectural and engineering practice designed (and then built by hand) a cast-in-situ cantilever that extends from the ground floor, creating a spacious kitchen and dining area with a lozenge-shaped plan that focuses views over the rooftops towards the South Downs. Externally, a modest terrace offers a moment of pause before a gradual descent down garden steps that continue the structural gymnastics of the host structure, floating from a solid central spine wall. On the façade, over 1,900 tiles hang, inspired by the ‘mathematical tiles’ prevalent in the South of England. Handmade on-site through a proprietary moulding system developed by the practice and carried out collaboratively by both the architects and the client, each tile has a unique quality—juxtaposed against the clean lines of the striking ‘Signal Red’ glazing and window box elements. Internally, a calm palette of Douglas Fir, polished concrete, and fluted glass is punctuated with shots of red and an exposed structural skeleton of oiled LVL roof joists. The project showcases what can emerge from a fused engineering and architectural team—pushing the limits of a conceptually simple yet technically challenging build—while embracing a hands-on approach in an industry increasingly governed by contractor whims. It also stands as a testament to a client willing to take a risk on a young but ambitious team, trusting the process of a building constructed around them. While rough in nature, the extension rejects the clean lines and polished finishes often demanded by modern architectural discourse in favour of material experimentation and exploratory practice.