We are delighted to have secured planning permission for the extension and comprehensive retrofit of a detached home in the Witterings, occupying a wonderful position overlooking the sea.

The proposals carefully reorganise the existing internal layout to create a more cohesive and functional plan for modern family living. New ground and first-floor extensions to the north of the property will provide a generous open-plan kitchen and dining space, together with an enlarged first-floor bedroom.

We’re delighted to see work progressing on the transformation of The Bakehouse, the sensitive restoration and extension of a Grade II listed former bakehouse in the heart of the South Downs.

Groundworks are now well advanced, with the reinforced concrete retaining walls being constructed, forming the lower ground floor that allows the building to be carefully embedded into the natural hillside.

The contemporary 193m² extension has been designed to sit quietly alongside the historic Bakehouse, creating a 287m² family home that respects the character of the listed building while embracing modern living. Rather than dominating the original structure, the extension steps with the landscape, reducing its visual impact and creating a series of light-filled spaces that open onto terraces overlooking the Cuckmere Valley.

The architecture takes inspiration from the simple forms of traditional agricultural buildings found throughout the South Downs. A composition of clean, pitched roof volumes echoes the scale and rhythm of the existing Bakehouse, while a restrained contemporary palette clearly distinguishes the new from the old.

The upper level will be clad in vertical timber boarding, chosen for its natural warmth and ability to weather gracefully within the landscape. The lower ground floor is expressed as a robust Corten steel plinth, its rich patina grounding the building within the hillside and providing a striking contrast to the soft tones of the timber above. Large glazed openings frame views across the valley, while slender steel balustrades and crisp detailing reinforce the simplicity of the design.

Fairview is a replacement dwelling in Lewes that demonstrates how thoughtful design, sustainability and craftsmanship can transform an underperforming site into an exceptional family home.

The project replaced an existing chalet bungalow that no longer made the most of its remarkable position overlooking the floodplains of Lewes and Offham.

Making the Most of the Landscape

The site’s greatest asset was its setting.

The design was developed around capturing long-distance views while maximising natural daylight throughout the home. Large areas of glazing frame the landscape, creating a strong visual connection between the interior and the surrounding countryside.

The overlapping pitched forms help create a dynamic architectural composition while remaining sensitive to the scale of neighbouring buildings.

Reusing What Was Already There

An important part of the sustainability strategy was retaining and reusing the existing foundations wherever possible.

This reduced waste, minimised disruption to the site and significantly lowered the embodied carbon associated with construction.

Craftsmanship and Materiality

Externally, Fairview combines larch cladding, natural slate roofing and locally sourced flint to create a material palette rooted in the Sussex landscape.

Internally, oak joinery, timber flooring and carefully crafted details contribute warmth and character throughout the home.

Outstanding Energy Performance

The house achieves an EPC rating of A (104A), placing it amongst the highest performing homes in the UK.

A fabric-first approach is supported by solar PV panels, battery storage, MVHR, underfloor heating and an Air Source Heat Pump to create a highly efficient and comfortable living environment.

The Outcome

Fairview demonstrates how replacement dwellings can provide an opportunity to significantly improve both architectural quality and environmental performance while making the most of an exceptional site.

View the full project here: Fairview

Related Projects:
Black Timber House
The Brick Barn
Old Rectory Cottage

Related Services:
New Build Homes
Sustainable Homes

Black Timber House began with a simple ambition: to create a contemporary family home that sat comfortably within the landscape of the South Downs National Park while achieving exceptional environmental performance.

The site, located at the end of a quiet country lane in Rodmell, offered stunning views across the Downs and surrounding meadows. From the outset, our aim was to create a building that felt connected to its setting, responding to both the landscape and the changing seasons.

Responding to the Site

Rather than imposing a building onto the site, we looked for ways to embed the house within its surroundings. Large picture windows frame carefully selected views, while the overall form helps create sheltered outdoor spaces and a strong relationship between inside and outside.

The house is composed of two stacked volumes, creating overhangs and covered areas that add depth and shadow to the architecture.

A Carefully Considered Material Palette

The striking black exterior is created using charred English larch, finished using the traditional Yakisugi method. Beyond its visual impact, the process improves durability and weather resistance while celebrating the natural character of the timber.

The timber is complemented by slate roofing, natural copper rainwater goods and timber-lined reveals, creating a material palette that will age gracefully over time.

Designing for Energy Performance

Sustainability was fundamental to the project from the beginning.

The house employs passive solar design principles, excellent levels of insulation, airtight construction, solar PV panels, MVHR and an Air Source Heat Pump. Together these measures contributed to an EPC rating of A and significantly reduced the building’s operational energy demand.

The Outcome

Black Timber House demonstrates how contemporary architecture can be both environmentally responsible and deeply connected to its landscape. The project was recognised with both a RIBA South East Award and Small Project of the Year Award, reflecting the success of the design approach and the quality of the finished home.

View the full project here: Black Timber House

One of the most common questions we are asked is whether it is possible to extend a listed building while respecting its historic character.

The short answer is yes. However, successful listed building projects require a careful balance between conservation, design and planning considerations.

Our work on Black Tile House in Firle demonstrates how contemporary architecture can sit comfortably alongside a historic building while enhancing its long-term future.

Understanding the Historic Significance

Before any design work begins, it is essential to understand what makes a listed building special.

This may include original materials, historic layouts, craftsmanship, setting and architectural character. Understanding these elements helps inform design decisions throughout the project.

Contemporary Doesn’t Mean Unsympathetic

At Black Tile House, we adopted a clear architectural distinction between old and new.

Rather than replicating historic detailing, the contemporary flint extension was designed to complement the listed building while remaining clearly identifiable as a modern intervention.

This approach is often favoured by conservation officers because it avoids creating a false sense of history.

Planning and Listed Building Consent

Listed building projects typically require close collaboration with planning officers, conservation specialists and other stakeholders.

Early engagement and a well-considered design strategy can significantly improve the planning process and help ensure a successful outcome.

Materials Matter

Material selection plays a critical role in heritage projects.

At Black Tile House, traditional flint, carefully restored mathematical tiles and high-quality craftsmanship helped create a seamless relationship between the original building and the new extension.

Improving Performance

Historic buildings can often be upgraded sensitively to improve comfort and efficiency without compromising their character.

Careful insulation strategies, improved services and thoughtful detailing can all contribute to better performance while preserving heritage value.

 

A Balance of Old and New

The most successful listed building projects do not seek to freeze a building in time. Instead, they respect its history while allowing it to evolve for modern living.

Black Tile House demonstrates how contemporary architecture and heritage conservation can work together to create something greater than either could achieve alone.

View the full project here: Black Tile House

 

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The Barn, Sussex

Old Rectory Cottage

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House Extensions

Listed Buildings

We are pleased to announce the completion of Warrick House, a new detached family home in Seaford, East Sussex, delivered on behalf of local developer Sparks Property.

Occupying a previously vacant plot within an established residential setting, the project has transformed an underutilised parcel of land into a distinctive, high-quality home that responds sensitively to its surroundings while providing contemporary living spaces for modern family life.

The design draws inspiration from the character of traditional Sussex homes, combining timeless architectural detailing with clean lines and carefully considered modern interventions. The result is a bespoke residence that balances period charm with the comfort, efficiency and flexibility expected of a new-build home.

Internally, the house has been arranged to maximise natural light and create a strong connection between living spaces and the surrounding landscape. Generous open-plan areas are complemented by more intimate rooms, offering a variety of spaces for family life, entertaining and home working.

Particular attention was paid to material selection and detailing, ensuring the home sits comfortably within its context while establishing its own identity. Traditional proportions, quality craftsmanship and contemporary finishes work together to create a home that feels both elegant and enduring.

As with all HAPA projects, sustainability formed an important part of the design process, with the home incorporating energy-efficient construction methods and fabric-first principles to reduce operational energy demand and support long-term environmental performance.

Warrick House demonstrates how thoughtful design can unlock the potential of small infill sites, delivering new homes that enhance their local setting while providing exceptional places to live.

Client: Sparks Property
Contractors: Chalmers & Co

Set within a narrow gap in a terraced street near Preston Park and Fiveways, this 3.4 metre townhouse with an area 66m2, explores how compact urban sites can support adaptable, high quality living.

HAPA Architects developed the detailed design, focusing on spatial efficiency, daylight and flexibility within a constrained footprint.

The plan is organised to maximise usability at every level. The ground floor opens onto a south facing courtyard, extending the kitchen and dining space and drawing light into the depth of the plan. Above, a dual aspect room is divided by Crittall style glazed doors, allowing it to operate either as one larger space or as two separate rooms. This provides flexibility for changing uses over time, including living, working or sleeping.

The top floor is arranged as a bedroom suite, with a large bifold opening framing views across Brighton towards the sea. Throughout the house, simple material choices and integrated joinery support a clear and efficient layout.

Despite its compact form, the house achieves an EPC B rating, demonstrating a considered approach to fabric performance and energy use.

Delivered in collaboration with House of SNAPS, the project reflects a shared focus on well designed, small scale housing. It contributes to a growing interest in compact urban homes that prioritise adaptability, light and long term usability.

New concept images have been released for Crest House, a substantial 1,000 m² new-build residence set to replace a rundown existing dwelling in Surrey. Positioned on a steeply sloping site, the project has been carefully conceived to maximise sweeping views across the surrounding valley while embedding the home sensitively into the landscape.

A clear material strategy distinguishes the building’s vertical composition. The upper floors are in lightweight timber cladding, giving a refined, contemporary appearance that reduces the visual mass at higher levels. In contrast, the lower levels are formed using heavyweight masonry, grounding the structure and allowing it to sit firmly within the terrain. This contrast is used intentionally as an architectural tool to define different volumes and articulate the hierarchy of the design.

The massing is further broken up through a series of mono-pitch roof forms, which help reduce the overall scale of the upper storeys while adding visual rhythm to the composition. These intersecting rooflines, combined with the interplay of volumes, create a dynamic silhouette that responds to both the slope and the surrounding landscape.

Internally, large areas of glazing are proposed to capture natural light and frame uninterrupted views, reinforcing the home’s relationship with its environment. The concept as a whole reflects a careful balance between bold contemporary design and sensitivity to site conditions.