We were approached by a client whose leaky Victorian home was characterised by segregated living spaces. Our challenge was to upgrade their home with a focus on improving thermal efficiency and re-imagining the layouts and finishes to better suit their needs.

The starting point was to link functional and aesthetic improvements in upgrading the property’s thermal performance. Motivated by a desire to reduce both operational and embodied carbon, we specified a number of naturally efficient and tactile materials including lime render, breathable wood fibre insulation, cork flooring and high performance Accoya windows. Functional utility spaces and a WC were located to the middle of the property where natural light is limited.

A large feature window at the rear doubles up as indoor seat, creating a focal point for the room and an opportunity to connect with nature whatever the weather. Deep timber fins help protect against over heating in the evenings when the rear receives low lying sunshine from the west. The design has resulted in a more efficient and better connected series of spaces for the homeowners to enjoy and improved operational efficiency.