Beck House
Elegant and inventive bespoke newbuild house
Beck House is an elegant and inventive newbuild residential property for a private client in York. The property has been built on backland site. These are sites behind existing buildings, in this case a series of large Victorian era properties. Adjacent properties, developed within the same context, are predominantly low-level, bungalows. It was important to planners that this new house matched the other backland properties.
Our role
Our design for this house maintains a similar low profile and massing, but uses a split-level arrangement to sink lower ground floor level by a half-storey into the site. The eaves, ridge and roof pitch of the new property are comparable to the adjacent properties, but habitable floor space is much large. We secured planning consent, completed the building regulations package and assisted with the appointment of a local construction firm to build the house, which was completing in 2023.
Modern family living
The palette of materials draws on the local context and includes a mixture of brick, timber and render, with each material employed to visually reinforce the split-level concept. The external walls, partially retaining, were constructed using insulated concrete formwork, providing a high-performing external fabric. The property also incorporates low-carbon technologies including solar PV’s on the south facing roof pitches and an air source heat pump, taking a fabric-first approach to provide a highly sustainable and impressive family home.
Location
York
Client
Private client
Client Type
Homeowner, Showcase
Sector
Residential
