Treetops

Treetops, Braishfield, Romsey, Hampshire

Contemporary New Build House

Treetops is a new house in the Braishfield Conservation Area, designed around the accessibility needs of the client while responding to its rural setting.

The brief called for a fully accessible, sustainable, energy-efficient home that would provide independence, flexibility and comfort both now and in the future. The design takes a contemporary interpretation of the agricultural buildings found throughout Braishfield. A simple arrangement of pitched and flat roofed forms is combined with red brick and flint, burnt larch cladding, aluminium windows and doors and a metal roof allowing the house to sit comfortably between mature oak trees and countryside.

The house is divided into two connected zones. The single-storey southern part provides accessible living, kitchen, dining and bedroom accommodation, while the two storey northern part accommodates family and guest spaces, including a study, snug, sauna and hydro pool/therapy room. A lift takes the client to a roof terrace which gives views of the countryside.

Sustainability is integral to the design and incorporates an air source heat pump and underfloor heating for heating and hot water, photovoltaic panels (PV) and battery storage, and rainwater harvesting.

Set within the conservation area and on the edge of the village boundary, the project successfully navigates complex planning constraints, including mature oak trees and newts, and required a carefully balanced planning approach to realise the client’s ambitions.

The result is a contemporary, inclusive home that responds to the client’s needs, environment, landscape and the character of Braishfield.

Sustainable Design - Explore how thoughtful design can improve energy efficiency, comfort and long-term performance.