Private Residence – Near Knutsford, Cheshire

SIP Panel Project

Since purchasing this 4 bedroomed bungalow within the Cheshire greenbelt, our client’s objective was to create a sustainable forever home. This substantial plot over-looks the Peover Eye river and is surrounded by farmland and agricultural buildings. Having spent two years developing designs (via 3^rd parties) to construct a new build dwelling on the site, our client was unable to find a design that suited their needs AND their budget. PJH Architectural Services have now been appointed to develop a detailed design that looks to retain the existing structure and provide a substantial extension, to create a new build look with the use of sustainable products (such as SIP Panels) and provide a property that maximises the use of renewable energy.

The proposal retains the linear layout and low profile of the existing property with the existing ridge height being retained. The interior layout, with attractive open views of the countryside and river to the south, will make the most of the site and its surroundings. The southerly aspect will maximise the opportunities for natural light to reach the main habitable rooms, with windows that will take advantage of solar gain.

The design of the property is bold and reflects the opportunity presented by the site’s countryside location – an interesting bespoke scheme. The front elevation features a gable wall that faces the driveway and provides a definitive end stop to the dwelling. It adds visual interest to the front elevation and provides a counter presence to the porch at the opposite end of the main facade. The use of dark coloured timber cladding, anthracite grey full height fenestration windows, sleek gutters, architectural stone cladding and an aluminium standing seam type roof, creates a bespoke and contemporary property with fantastic architectural merit, that blends well with the surrounding open aspects of countryside.

The ground floor layout encompasses a large vaulted entrance area which leads you down to a split level lounge complete with large sliding doors on the rear elevation. The doors maximises the clear views towards the substantial rear garden and down to Peover Eye river. The hub of the dwelling is created via a large open plan kitchen/dining/lounge area situated centrally to the footprint. The high level vaulted ceilings create a real sense of volume and space.

A generous corridor at the front of the property is flooded with morning daylight via a series of full height slit windows, this corridor provides a guided thoroughfare to a large utility, office and plant room, the end of the corridor leads you to the extended area of the dwelling (approx. 110m², 1,300Sqft) which boasts an impressive master bedroom complete with en-suite facilities and double walk in wardrobes. The vaulted ceilings provide a mass of volume and when coupled with the 4-meter rear facing sliding doors and corner glazing, provides panoramic views over the rear and side aspects of the garden.

The existing first floor is retained as a large double bedroom that leads out to a flat roofed balcony area via a set of sliding doors, which creates a perfect setting for late evening sun sets. The intention is to create a highly sustainable property via the introduction of Structurally Insulated roof and wall panels (SIPS), ground source heat pumps (GSHP), a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery system (MVHR), solar panelling, underfloor heating and water harvesting across the site.

Planning was approved in July 2019 with works due to start on site early in 2020. Refer to our regular news feed for progress updates.

Thinking of pursuing something similar to our “SIP Panel” project? Feel free to take a look at some of our blogs:

How to maintain your budget.
Tendering – Everything you need to know.
Choose the right designer for your project.

If you need any advice on the first steps of designing and planning a new build, feel free to get in touch for a brief chat, we are here to help.

Email: enquiry@pjhas.co.uk

Tel: 0161 4600382