We’re delighted to announce that Old Rectory Cottage has won an award at this year’s Sussex Heritage Awards. Our project was recognised in the Small Scale Residential: Restoration, Conversion and Extension category, and we feel truly honoured to be in the company of so many talented designers and outstanding schemes.

The awards celebrate thoughtful design, craftsmanship and the preservation of our region’s unique architectural heritage, values that have been at the heart of this project from the start. To see other listed projects and those in a conservation area do take a look here.

Located within a conservation area in East Sussex, Old Rectory Cottage has been carefully reimagined to improve natural light, enhance circulation and sensitively extend the original home to create generous, flexible family spaces. Sustainability was a central focus throughout, with the use of repurposed materials, FSC-certified larch cladding, underfloor heating powered by an Air Source Heat Pump and a 10kWp solar array with battery storage. The result is a low-energy, future-ready home that still honours its historic character. Sustainability and eco architure are woven into all our projects, to find out more about this take a look here.

We’re incredibly proud of the team effort behind this project and would like to give a special mention to the fantastic work by our contractors Gowing Build.

We’re grateful to the Sussex Heritage Trust for this recognition, and we’re pleased to share the judges’ comments:

“A well-designed extension to the existing house, which manages to seamlessly blend the old with the new. Good sense of scale and proportion with excellent choice of materials results in a pleasing, comfortable home that relates well to the site and the existing building.”

Thank you to everyone who helped make Old Rectory Cottage what it is today – a sustainable, welcoming home that celebrates the best of old and new. Do take a look at our Awards page to see other projects noted for their design and innovation.

Read more about Old Rectory Cottage here.

Photos by: www.clickclickjim.com

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We’re delighted to share the transformation of Trenans, a once modest bungalow in the popular area of St Agnes, into a light-filled, contemporary and energy-efficient family home.

Before
The original property offered two bedrooms and a study, sitting on a generous plot with ample parking and three garages. While clearly well loved, the house was in need of updating throughout. The layout felt constrained, with small kitchen and living areas that did not make the most of the available space or the connection to the garden. Heating was provided by a basic electric system, and the building envelope offered limited insulation.

After
A rear extension and full eco-retrofit have transformed Trenans into a spacious and future-ready three-bedroom home. The reconfigured layout now features a bright open-plan kitchen and living space, where a large picture window frames views of the garden and fills the room with natural light. Bifold doors open out from both the kitchen and living room, creating a seamless connection to the outdoor terrace and turning the heart of the home into a versatile indoor-outdoor family space.

The rear extension and existing back elevation have been clad in black timber to create a crisp, contemporary appearance. The rest of the house has been externally insulated and re-rendered, significantly improving thermal performance.

A new air source heat pump now provides low-carbon heating and hot water, and the existing garage has also been reclad to sit comfortably within the updated context. The surrounding garden has been re-landscaped to provide a welcoming and functional outdoor area for family life.

What was once a compact bungalow is now a generous and energy-conscious home, carefully updated to meet the needs of modern living.

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We are proud to share the near completion of our Fairview project – a contemporary, low-energy family home that has achieved an exceptional EPC rating of A – 104A.

Fairview was conceived as a high-performance home that sits lightly on the land, both literally and environmentally. The new dwelling was designed to sit on the existing foundations and follow the original footprint of a previously altered and inefficient chalet bungalow. By reusing these foundations and maximising the site’s potential, we created a sustainable home tailored to contemporary family life. for more about how we incorporate sustainability and low energy architecture into our projects, take a look here.

With spectacular views to the north-east over the floodplains of Lewes and Offham, the previous dwelling failed to take full advantage of its location. Internally, it was compromised with small windows, dark rooms and a layout that had been adjusted many times over the years. It was also extremely energy-hungry and in need of comprehensive renovation.

Our approach focused on transforming the site into a bright, open and healthy living environment, supported by a suite of integrated sustainable technologies and fabric-first design.

Key sustainable features include:

• Home battery storage

• Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR)

• A 9kWp solar PV array

• Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP)

• Underfloor heating throughout

• Very low U-values for walls, roof and glazing

• Passive solar design and careful orientation

With a total internal area of 216 m², the house has been designed to connect more meaningfully with its surrounding landscape. The new design makes better use of external amenity spaces, including new terrace surfaces and landscaping. Glazing to the north-east has been carefully positioned to maximise views and natural light while retaining privacy thanks to the elevated and set-back nature of the site.

Alterations to the existing garage have created a flexible gym space with further views to the landscape beyond. The result is a carefully considered, low-energy family home that delivers high standards of environmental performance without compromising on quality of materials, spatial experience or liveability.

Fairview is a demonstration of how thoughtful, sustainable architecture can improve both the performance and enjoyment of a home, and we are delighted to see it delivered to such a high standard. For more information on new build homes take a look here.

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We are thrilled to announce that our Black Timber House has been featured in Susan Redman’s latest book, ‘Modern Houses in Black’, available July 2024. This book highlights 28 breathtaking black homes from around the globe, celebrating the elegance and sophistication of contemporary residential architecture. With stunning visuals and in-depth interviews with architects, it is an essential read for design enthusiasts.

Our Black Timber House exemplifies the best in modern, sustainable architecture, delivering high thermal and energy efficiency. Key features of the home include:

• Photovoltaic (PV) panels for self-generated power
• High-efficiency air source heat pump and low-temperature underfloor heating
• High thermal mass heat sink floors for optimal energy use
• Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR)
• Passive solar design, high levels of insulation, and air tightness measures

Achieving an A-rated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), the Black Timber House is a standout example of sustainable living.

Don’t miss the chance to explore this inspiring collection and see our very own Black Timber House among these architectural masterpieces.

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Introducing the Mill Hill project, where we’re transforming a beautiful site in the South Downs into a modern, sustainable home. Our mission is to create an energy-efficient residence that blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings.

We’re excited to announce that HAPA has just been granted planning permission for this innovative project. Replacing an outdated structure, our two-story design maximizes natural light and green spaces. Advanced features such as underfloor heating, mechanical ventilation, and rainwater harvesting ensure comfort and sustainability.

The post Mill Hill – Planning Awarded appeared first on HAPA Architects.

We are thrilled to unveil the conceptual designs for Wild Brook Barn, an innovative project aimed at enhancing biodiversity and sustainability. Utilising a detailed 3D render, we have brought our plan and vision to life, showcasing our commitment to a greener future.

Wild Brook Barn embraces the national Biodiversity Net Gain policy, integrating features that harmonise with the natural environment. Our design includes natural pools surrounded by aquatic plants and a variety of native tree species. These elements are carefully selected to enrich the landscape and provide vital habitats for local wildlife, fostering a thriving ecosystem.

With the recent introduction of the national Biodiversity Net Gain planning policy, we are committed to creating a truly biodiverse dwelling and gardens that complement this policy rather than oppose it. Biodiversity can help communities adapt to climate change by increasing resilience to extreme weather conditions and improving air and water quality. The Biodiversity Net Gain policy aids in mitigating climate change through the restoration and protection of nature.

To increase biodiversity, we have incorporated a natural pool surrounded by aquatic filtration plants and oxygenator species. This pool forms a central focus of the house, creating a harmonious connection with nature and providing shelter. The house will be surrounded by native tree species and wildflower meadow grasses, establishing specific habitats for morning, midday, and afternoon. The building itself is predominantly single-storey and clad in black timber, allowing it to blend seamlessly with the wooded backdrop and surrounding landscape.

Follow us as this project develops.

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Thank you for the wonderful article on Black Timber House, South Downs National Park. You can read the full article here.
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The National Park’s Design Officer Rafa Grosso- Macpherson said: “The scheme sets a new bar for development on the edge of a village through thoughtful contextual architecture that demonstrates an exemplary use of timber and is enhanced by sensitive landscaping.”

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If you would like to know more about Black Timber House do take a look at the project here.

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