Design Engine » Private House

Upham | Hampshire

James Ferrero — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:09:45 +0000

An 18th Century stone and flint barn, overwhelmed by recent steel framed outbuildings, is released and given new life as a home. The inherent character of the barn is retained, with a mezzanine threaded within the existing thresher door openings and between existing roof trusses, like a precious piece of furniture. This divides the volume into two equal living spaces. A glazed transition space turns the outside wall into an internal hall and leads onto four bedrooms and a lower snug lounge. Views out over the countryside are framed by openings in a wrapping skin around the new accommodation.

Quainton | Aylesbury Vale

James Ferrero — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:07:41 +0000

“Very occasionally the exceptional quality and innovative nature of the design of a proposed, isolated new house may provide this special justification for granting planning permission. Such a design should be truly outstanding and ground- breaking, for example, in its use of materials, methods of construction or its contribution to protecting and enhancing the environment, so helping to raise standards of design more generally in rural areas. The value of such a building will be found in its reflection of the highest standards in contemporary architecture, the significant enhancement of its immediate setting and its sensitivity to the defining characteristics of the local area.”

Planning Guidance PPS7

Stegbunt, Zurich | Switzerland

James Ferrero — Fri, 01 Aug 2003 16:05:01 +0000

The competition to masterplan this redundant industrial site in Windisch, 60km north-west of Zurich, was won by Belvedere, a Swiss architectural practice, in 2001. As part of the site strategy, an area which became known as ‘Stegbunt’ was allocated for an experimental housing development, where international architectural practices were invited to design one house each for sale on the open market.
Each plot was of similar size and parameters were set for house area, height and general massing. Our design built on the philosophy we have adopted for other domestic projects which involves total integration of garden with house, such that the boundaries between inside and outside are blurred. The experience is made richer by the combination of these large openings onto the small garden at each level, complemented by longer framed views across the site to hills and river beyond.

Mount Grace Drive | Poole

James Ferrero — Mon, 03 Mar 2003 16:03:48 +0000

Our client’s distinctive brief, together with the breathtaking location of this sloping south-facing site overlooking Sandbanks and Poole Harbour, provide the ingredients for this highly responsive one-off house design. To the street, it presents stone-clad solidity and privacy, whilst, to the sea, it opens up with full-height glazing, balconies and terraces.
Our low-energy concept utilises retained and earth-bound structure and openable glass walls to produce a balanced approach to heating, cooling and ventilation. High quality materials, finishes and fittings will underline the bespoke nature of the house and, when completed, the built home should be one of the most sought after in Sandbanks.

Hatherley Studio | Winchester

James Ferrero — Sat, 15 Jan 2000 15:59:56 +0000

An award winning studio house in central Winchester, designed to accommodate an alternative lifestyle, with sleeping, en-suite bathroom, shower room and a study area organised below an open-plan living mezzanine floor. The lower floor opens out onto a private courtyard and out to the street, whilst the upper floor is approached via steps from the pavement. A full-height south-east facing glazed screen fronts a double-height void, within which a lightweight stair links the two floors. The house is considered an exemplar of small brownfield development.