February Practice News

In this month’s update, we’re pleased to share our newly published Church brochure, early concept designs for two new-build homes within the New Forest National Park, and details of The Politics of Space lecture series, where Darren will be presenting.

Securing Church Buildings Through Design

We have recently published our first brochure dedidated to our architectural work focused on church buildings. As a design practice, we are passionate about working with these existing buildings, using architecture as a catalyst for positive change. Through our experience working with 20 + churches dotted across the UK, we have developed tailored design proposals for a wide range of denominations, settings and building types. We deliver designs that respond to each projects distinct challenges and opportunities, to bring long-term resilience to these extraordinary spaces.

Many churches share common concerns: reducing maintenance costs, unlocking the potential of their buildings and sites, improving usability, strengthening engagement with the wider community, above all ensuring the building can continue to support the church’s mission for generations to come.

View the church brochure here. 

Garden Plot Concept Designs, New Forest National Park

We are currently working with the owners of Paddock House, to explore the potential of redeveloping their site, to deliver a low energy replacement dwelling, and to create an additional new home within their generous grounds.

Our designs carefully respond to the rural village setting, while also considering the plot ratios of neighbouring homes. The aim is to deliver these two new house with a design that is balanced and appropriate for its context, while also reaching the full potential of the site.

View project details here.

RUAS lecture

Darren has been invited to present as part of Reading University, Architecture Society (RUAS) event ‘The Politics of Space’ on 12th March, 2026.

He has been asked to share his thoughts on how architecture reflects, and shapes social hierarchies. How design can impact accessibility, and inclusion across society.

As a current Studio Practitioner at Reading University, Darren is always keen to support the work of RUAS.

Get in touch to request the presentation slides after the event if you are unable to attend.

Build It’s Best of Self Build & Renovation

We’re delighted to see Brockenhurst House featured in Build It’s Best of Self Build & Renovation supplement, which showcases the award-winning projects from the 2025 Build It Awards.

Brockenhurst House was the winner of the Extensions & Renovation category. The judges praised the project for its beautifully detailed, fabric-first approach, highlighting how thoughtful design can be truly transformative, even within an average budget.

The scheme reimagines a tired 1970s property as a contemporary, low-energy home. Carefully tailored to support the owners’ needs, the design incorporates a high degree of flexibility, ensuring the house is resilient, adaptable and future-proofed for years to come.

Courtyard House, January Project Update

We visited the Courtyard House site last week, located in the New Forest near the village of Burley, and were delighted to see that the building is now ‘watertight’; an important milestone in the construction process.

With the glazing fully installed and the roof now tiled, the project is now completely enclosed and protected from the elements. This marks a key transition on site, allowing the construction team to move their focus to the internal works, including plumbing, electrics, and finishes. From this stage on, the scheme will begins to feel more like a home and less like a building site.

Internally, the house feels spacious and filled with natural light, something we have worked incredibly hard to achieve on this narrow site. The internal courtyards, carefully cut into the building form, respond to the constraints of the elongated plot by drawing daylight deep into the plan and strengthening the connection between inside and out.

We look forward to sharing further updates as this New Forest residential project continues to take shape.

Art Installation Opens in Winchester

We were delighted to attend the official opening of Allegra Ambition Installation this week, a project that delivers a free-to-use outdoor fitness space and sculptural seating area beside the Winchester Sports Centre at Garrison Ground, Hampshire.

Our design was selected as the winner of the public art competition run by SPUD, seamlessly integrating the charity’s ‘finish line’ logo into a series of organic sculptural forms. These pieces combine art, sculpture, gym equipment, and seating into one cohesive and beautiful installation. Constructed from timber of varying heights, the design creates a tactile and inviting space that encourages visitors to sit, climb, or work out.

Lucy Whittome, Trustee of Allegra’s Ambition, said:

“We have tried to create something truly special here. It is a place that welcomes people and children of all ages to gather, sit, play, and exercise, with a focus on calisthenics.”

Cllr Sudhakar Achwal, Mayor of Winchester, added:

“The gym is a wonderful tribute to Allegra, who spent much of her childhood playing and training on the fields at Bar End… Allegra’s Gym stands as a living legacy, a joyful place for the community to meet, gather, exercise, and play together, just as she once enjoyed doing.

“I would like to warmly congratulate you and your team for bringing this project from conception to reality, the result is exceptional.”

Allegra’s Ambition, a charity established in memory of Allegra Whittome, works to enable, engage, and empower young people to reach their potential through participation in sport.

Progress at The Granary

It was great to see such positive progress at The Granary, our heritage project in the New Forest National Park. The project is so close to completion, we cannot wait to share some professional photos with you soon.

The project has thoughtfully designed a scheme which converts and infills an existing open carport space on the ground floor aspect of the building, providing an additional bedroom on the first floor and extending the living accommodation on the ground floor.

Although The Granary is not a listed building independently, it sits within a curtilage of a listed building, and is of heritage interest due to it being well-preserved example of common agricultural architecture from the period. Due to this this unique heritage of the building, we approached the design sensitively, in order to retain the character of the ancillary buildings, both in terms of individual value and the setting of the listed building.

Build It Award Shortlist

Our Brockenhurst House has been shortlisted in this years Build It Awards, in the ‘Best Architect or Designer for an Extension Project’. The annual industry awards that celebrates the most inspiring architectural projects and inventive products in the self-build sector, judged by industry leaders.

Brockenhurst House exemplifies how thoughtful, design-led architecture can elevate everyday living. What began as a tired 1970s chalet-style property has been transformed into a refined, low-carbon contemporary home, designed to support its owners’ evolving needs while treading lightly on the planet.

 

We look forward to the winners being revealed later this year.