Princes Crescent, Hove

RIBA Stage: 0-4 (Planning & Technical Design)

Project Value: £300,000

Consultants: Everestmiles (Main Contractor), Lewis & Co (Planning), H+W (Structure)

Building a new home within a conservation area is one of the more demanding things a homeowner can take on. The design has to deliver a contemporary, high quality house while sitting comfortably among the historic buildings around it, and it needs to satisfy a planning authority that is rightly protective of local character.

We designed a bespoke new build house with an annexe, drawing on the materials and details that define the surrounding area. Flint walls and quoin detailing were used to echo the local vernacular, giving the new building a sense of belonging while still reading as a well resolved piece of architecture in its own right. The annexe adds flexibility for the family, whether for guests, relatives or independent living, and was designed to feel part of the same composition rather than an afterthought.

The result is a one off home with real presence and a clear connection to its setting. For homeowners planning a new build or major rebuild in a conservation area, and looking for a Hove architect experienced in bespoke houses, contextual design and the planning sensitivities of historic settings, this project shows how traditional materials and careful detailing can be combined with a thoroughly modern way of living.