Corbiere, Finchampstead
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Corbiere, Finchampstead
Four-gabled, Modernist (virtual) replacement dwelling:
The initial call we received from Alister & Rachael was that they wanted to knock the house down and build a new one in a very modern style. Although we would never tell them what to do, we do test everything they suggest to make sure it would actually be right for them, as they don’t always know what their options might be and what might be possible.
We assume it’s every architects dream (it is ours!) to be given a blank canvas and to come up designs for a modern, contemporary one-off house. We’re big believers in not taking the easiest path as it’s not always the best, so we suggested that it might be worth first exploring what might be possible retaining significant parts of the existing house to try and save on cost, not having to demolish and replacing the entire structure.
Project challenges:
One of the biggest challenges (we like a challenge!), was the initial concept design stage. We had meeting after meeting exploring different options, evolving them, changing them, always trying to find the best balance between meeting as many aspects of Alister & Rachael’s brief as possible, whilst retaining as much of the structure (to reduce the costs) as possible.
Budget and cost were the other big challenge. The aim of exploring the retention of parts of the existing house was to see whether it would be more cost effective. This is not easy where there is such a varied mixture of refurb, rebuild and new build, but we were lucky to find a builder at an early stage who would engage at a very detailed level to explore different cost options. That - coupled with the clients’ cost-management background and exquisite eye for architectural detail - meant it all culminated in one of the most challenging but enjoyable and beautiful projects on which we’ve been lucky enough to work.
The end result:
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Client Feedback:
"We wanted our own ‘Grand Designs’ House, so it was out priority to find an architect who could help us achieve this. After meeting Chris, even after a few minutes we could see that he was just as excited and enthusiastic about design and our project as we were!
It was a challenging and time consuming process but we realise now that if we’d tried to rush it, or do it any quicker, it would not have turned out the way it did and we both absolutely love it and just looking at it and being in it makes us grin from ear to ear all the time. Whenever our friends come round they all say how amazing it is.
We’re working with Artichoke again as we need a ‘Grand Design’ Carport to match the house!
Great work guys – thank you!”
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