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The external cladding is hand charred larch, nestling within the lushly planted northern facing garden. Black metal apertures puncture the façade framing a seamless glazed window and door.

Renovation of a late twentieth century property and surrounding land into a family home centred on communal growing and gardening.

new 3 bed retirement home in rural orchard

Timber clad exterior with pivot and slide window seat.

Great textures and details found all over the home, changing at night to a beautifully lit and inviting space

Behind this striking black façade lies a uniquely bespoke, subdued and luxurious masterpiece. – DGK Architects

Situated on the outskirts of Guildford, Surrey, with a direct view of the North Downs on the horizon, CASA BASSA is a small house built on the footprint of a previously nondescript garage. The design aims to redefine a typology by combining multiple dwelling types, creating a hybrid house that can adapt to various uses and layouts. Upon completing the refurbishment of their contemporary villa, which included grounds designed by garden designer Adolfo Harrison, the clients approached FPA for a creative solution to expand their space. They sought to accommodate friends more comfortably, allowing them to fully enjoy the house and gardens together. The initial investigation considered redesigning redundant rooms and converting attic spaces, but it was soon clear that a standalone building would offer a more memorable experience. As the design evolved, the new structure was envisioned as a versatile space, providing an escape for the teenage daughters, an occasional office, a gym, and guest accommodations. Loosely inspired by concepts derived from artificial intelligence—the owners’ field of expertise—the design draws from AI algorithms, translating code into binary patterns of 0s and 1s. This concept is reflected in the architectural language, where a vertical binary rhythm influences the selection of technical solutions, materials, and finishes. Elements such as timber goalpost frames, zinc cladding, charred timber, battens, and porcelain tiles are meticulously arranged in binary patterns of seam and field, solid and void, gap and slat, ridge and valley. The result is a dynamic and structured interplay of textures, celebrating the intersection of technology and craftsmanship. The entrance is subtly marked by a sculptural set of steep steps, which navigate the garden’s level changes. The doors and openings are cleverly disguised within the timber cladding. The steps, wall, and floor, creating a small open-air antechamber, are clad in green patterned tiles that establish a distinct connection to the landscape, setting the space apart from the building. The plinth of the original garage has been preserved, with its layout unchanged to reuse the existing footings. A mansard-style roof, higher than the original, has been added over the plinth to create an open space accessed via a double-height area. The dynamic roof shape responds to the site’s topography, resulting in elevations that vary significantly on each of the four sides. While the exterior of Casa Bassa is dark and monolithic, the interior presents a stark contrast—bright, monochrome, and flooded with natural light. The loft-like open space engages with the outdoors and the hills beyond through expansive picture windows, creating a seamless connection between interior and landscape. There is a deliberate sense of surprise for visitors, who enter through a hidden, small door and traverse a dynamic, funnel-like stairwell before emerging into the expansive interior—a progression of emotions from enclosure to openness. The use of simple, standalone volumes for the kitchen and storage (which also doubles as a bedhead) is cleverly located on the upper level, helping to break down the open space and effectively zone the area. The extensive use of timber and timber-based materials, the reuse of significant portions of the existing structure, including original steel girders, and the incorporation of sustainable materials paired with high-level insulation have all contributed to creating a building that prioritizes sustainability. It boasts a low carbon footprint, high embodied carbon efficiency, and a substantial percentage of recyclable components.

Hackney House Extension is a calm retreat in the heart of Hackney, London. Following the global pandemic, Magri Williams were appointed as architect and interior designer to produce a full width rear extension and whole house refurbishment. The project creates an open plan living space for a family to come together. In a world recovering from Covid, the client’s sought an extension that felt restorative and the proposal looked towards nature to achieve this.

A deep reveal window box allows for shading from the western sun, while allowing for a dual-sided seat.

A sleek single storey extension that has been purposfully designed to contrast yet compliment a traditional detached house in Sheffield. The extension uses black external timber cladding with the inner faces of the projecting frame enhanced with vibrant Cedar cladding to create a bold finish that draws you in from the garden

A stunning urban home renovation in Iffley Fields, Oxford Oxford Renovation A stunning urban home renovation in Iffley Fields, Oxford Type of Cladding: Accoya® Dorai charred timber cladding, supplied by Exterior Solutions Ltd. Construction Company: Property Care Complete Maintenance Ltd. The Exterior Solutions team were delighted to receive images from Property Care Complete Maintenance Ltd of this architectural gem which is nearing completion in Oxfordshire. The charred timber finish contrasts with the brick townhouses in the street, making an impressive impact which takes the building to another level. In the initial architect’s plans, the building was finished in a bare chamfered-edge Accoya®, however the client requested a more unusual finish. Samples of Shou Sugi Ban® charred timber cladding were sourced from Exterior Solutions Ltd. The client opted for Accoya® Dorai, a soft brushed charred timber cladding, with a subtle grain. Witney-based construction company, Property Care Complete Maintenance Ltd completed all of the building works in the loft conversion, 3 storey extension and the cladding installation Unlike untreated wood cladding that weathers and changes colour, this low-maintenance, resilient charred cladding will retain this deep black appearance. The final stages of this large-scale extension and modernisation are now underway and the client is delighted.