Lambshear Lane

Location: Lydiate, Merseyside

Project: New Build

Notes: Maximising the value of a plot

Simplicity of form elevated through layering and texture.

A 1960s bungalow on a generous plot, in the popular town of Lydiate, presented a development opportunity at Lambshear Lane. We were briefed to design and build three houses on the plot, each with three double bedrooms and two reception rooms over two floors on a restricted budget - without appearing that way in the finished result. The concept was to take the simplest of forms and make much more of them through carefully considered layering, use of materials and playing with texture.

The shape of the site required the stepping of each plot to equalise the garden sizes to the front and back. An important move, as this stepping added the first element of interest and clearly defined each unit. Recessing the front doors and the gallery window above added the second element with a simple porch canopy providing depth and layering through light and shadow. Something which could easily have been an unremarkable brick panel is elevated to a tactile feature by laying the bricks Flemish bond with projecting headers. A rendered pod is cantilevered beyond the main facade adding a further layer, more depth and a sense of architectural tension between the smooth white render and the adjacent texture of the brickwork. With our breadth of experience in designing and building we have constructed a striking townhouse development with every feature of the floor plan and elevations achieving maximum impact for the budget available.