Badger Construction have recently completed our scheme for a new studio flat on Lindfield High Street.
Thought to be the first development of its kind on the high street for many years, the studio flat is discretely tucked above Kieron James Toys, occupying the space between the two neighbouring end of terrace properties. Using this empty space, and by reorganising a former rear store building, we have created a bijou residence for our client.
The flat comprises studio room housing galley kitchen, living space and bed area, plus generous bathroom and dedicated entrance hallway and stairwell. Internally, the ceiling has been vaulted with oak tie beams to increase the feeling of space.
Our scheme for a large 3-bedroom oak-framed eco house in rural Scaynes Hill has been granted planning approval by Mid Sussex District Council.
The project is targeted to achieve Level 5 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, an initiative intended to drive sustainable development with Level 6 being the highest attainable. In addition to design features such as careful site orientation to embrace and control solar gain, the project will feature very high levels of thermal insulation, a wood chip biomass boiler system, rainwater harvesting tank and Biorock biodigester sewage treatment plant.
Our client’s dream home is a fusion of this 21st century environmentally-responsible technology with rustic 15th century construction techniques, the concept for the building based on the Bayleaf House at the Weald and Downland Museum in Singleton, which is understood to date from the early 1400s.
How different living conditions will be!
“We were delighted with the design service provided by Dwell for our loft conversion project. Their friendly and efficient service was quick to understand what we were trying to achieve and offered many useful suggestions and improvements to our concept. Moreover, they worked closely with our building contractor from the outset to jointly ensure that the work was planned, approved and progressed without issue, delay or any unexpected surprises. We didn’t think building projects could run this smoothly!”
The project, located close to our studio in Scaynes Hill is, we believe, the first of its type in the UK. Framed with locally-grown FSC-certified oak, the house will realise our client’s long term ambition of a sustainable Wealden Hall House designed to meet the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5 (CSH Level 6 being the highest attainable).
Featuring amongst other aspects a super-insulated envelope, wood chip boiler system, photovoltaic panels and biodigester package sewerage plant, the scheme for a has received favourable feedback from Mid Sussex Green Party candidate Paul Brown. Mr Brown comments:
“I wish to support this application for an energy efficient Code 5 compliant dwelling on the owners site. I hope that MSDC will see fit to support this development and that it will become the first of many exemplars to builders and developers in Mid Sussex”.
A final decision from the planning department at MSDC is due within the next couple of weeks, and we look forward to receiving news of its approval.
The site has planning consent for the two homes, which is due to expire shortly, so immediate action is required to allow construction work to commence in early August.
Knowing the value Dwell’s team can add to their projects, an immediate review of the consent, site history and approved drawings was commissioned resulting in suggested improvements. By rationalising the plan layouts to increase natural daylight and simplify the build process, savings of both time and money are anticipated. Through negotiation with the planners, it is hoped to improve the external appearance of the units, in turn helping to increase the end values of the homes.
Work is underway to fast-track the construction drawings ready for Building Control approval from one of Dwell’s consultant BCOs.
We are delighted to have been asked to assist Frankie Gray and her team at Harmony at Home as they set up their first children’s store in Ardingly, West Sussex.
Harmony at Home was established in 2004 and is now a successful nanny agency with branches across the UK dedicated to helping parents find appropriate childcare.
The new store will stock a range of modern and traditional toys and accessories carefully selected by Frankie, herself an experienced Norland nanny, and her team.
Dwell have produced a series of design and layout options for the store, offering their own retailing experience to help maximise the space and functionality of the new store.
We wish Frankie and her team every success with the new venture and look forward to the imminent launch!