Location; Brigsley
Completion Date; Ongoing
BIRCHWOOD
The replacement dwelling at Birchwood, Brigsley, represented a bold yet sensitive reimagining of a conventional executive property into a contemporary, high-performance family home. The original house, constructed in the 1990s, occupied a generous and well-established plot, set well back from Waltham Road and screened by mature planting and adjacent dwellings.
While the existing structure was substantial in scale, its internal arrangement was inefficient, its energy performance poor, and its stylistic expression rooted in dated architectural references. As a result, following a comprehensive design appraisal and feasibility assessment, it was concluded that the most appropriate course of action was to replace the dwelling entirely rather than pursue extension and refurbishment. The project began with a detailed options appraisal that tested a variety of remodelling strategies intended to rationalise the internal layout and extend the property to meet a contemporary brief. Each iteration revealed increasing structural intervention and complexity, ultimately compromising layout efficiency and architectural cohesion. These schemes highlighted the inherent limitations of the existing building and led to a shift in strategy: to demolish and rebuild, using the original footprint as the foundation for a new vision. This decision provided the opportunity to construct a highly efficient, sustainably designed home tailored to the specific needs of the clients and the constraints of the site.
The new dwelling was conceived as a confident and contemporary composition of interlocking forms, employing a minimal palette of tactile materials and a refined geometric clarity. The external walls were articulated with colour-impregnated dark render, anchoring the base of the structure into the landscape and forming strong horizontal and vertical elements that defined internal spaces. Above this, a lighter buff brick was used to create visually floating first-floor volumes, giving the building a balanced sense of mass and proportion. In key locations, these layers were unified with full-height brickwork or vertical grey-rendered walls to add variation and cohesion. Fenestration was treated with great care, with large aluminium-framed openings creating strong visual links to the landscape while maintaining privacy. Deep window reveals on the southern elevation ensured solar shading and passive cooling, while overhanging roof elements formed sheltered terraces and covered entranceways. The use of natural timber for opening vents introduced warmth and tactility, contrasting subtly with the crisp monochrome palette and metal-framed glazing. The flat-roofed design allowed for a reduced overall height and a grounded, low-lying form that sat harmoniously within the mature garden context, ensuring the dwelling remained visually discreet despite its substantial scale.
The internal arrangement was driven by a desire to enhance connection with the landscape while providing spatial clarity and functional flexibility. The entrance sequence led to a generous double-height atrium space, flooded with natural light via a large overhead rooflight. From here, the plan unfolded around a central hallway, with the open-plan kitchen, dining, and family spaces oriented to the south to maximise natural light and garden views. These key living spaces benefitted from seamless access to outdoor terraces, allowing for fluid transitions between inside and outside throughout the year.
Private and service areas were carefully zoned to ensure acoustic separation and privacy. The formal lounge and study were located to the north, taking advantage of more subdued lighting and distant views across open fields. Ancillary spaces such as the utility room, scullery, and plant areas were discreetly positioned with minimal outlook, freeing the principal elevations for more expressive spatial gestures. The garage and carport provided secure parking and storage while acting as a visual buffer to the eastern boundary, preserving privacy for both the occupants and neighbouring properties.
Upstairs, the first-floor layout provided five spacious bedrooms, each with its own en-suite and integrated wardrobe space. The master suite, located to the southwest, featured a walk-in dressing area, a luxurious bathroom with freestanding bath, and a private balcony overlooking the landscaped garden. Frameless glass balustrades maintained uninterrupted views while mature trees provided natural screening and privacy. The remaining bedrooms were accessed via a central landing that borrowed light from the double-height space below, reinforcing the sense of openness and calm throughout the upper floor.
Sustainability was embedded throughout the design. The new home was constructed to exceed current building regulations for thermal efficiency, incorporating high-performance insulation, airtight construction, and triple-glazed windows. A series of sustainable technologies were integrated, including an air-source heat pump, underfloor heating, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR). Passive solar design principles guided the building’s orientation, window placement, and shading strategies, ensuring year-round thermal comfort with minimal energy use. Provision for electric vehicle charging, a secure cycle store, rainwater management via sustainable urban drainage, and low-energy lighting further enhanced the building’s environmental credentials.
Material specification prioritised low-VOC finishes, PEFC-certified timber cladding, and locally sourced products wherever possible. Interior materials and finishes reflected the external palette, creating a coherent and calm domestic environment. Natural timber, warm neutral tones, and clean-lined fittings ensured the interiors felt welcoming and grounded, yet contemporary. The layout was designed to support long-term adaptability, incorporating features such as a home office, level access, and an internal lift to meet lifetime home standards and enable the house to evolve with its occupants.
The landscape design played an essential role in rooting the new house within its setting. All significant trees and boundary planting were retained, with the exception of one tree removed to accommodate the new entrance. Additional shrub planting, lawned areas for biodiversity, and new paths and terraces were introduced to enhance access, privacy, and seasonal interest. The retained permeable gravel driveway ensured continued ease of vehicle access while supporting sustainable drainage and preserving the rural character of the site.
From the outset, the architectural approach acknowledged the rural character of Brigsley and the requirement to respond sensitively to the North East Lincolnshire Local Plan, which identified the village as a ‘Level 4’ minor rural settlement. By replacing an existing house rather than introducing a new dwelling, the scheme maintained a zero net gain in housing numbers. The design was intentionally contemporary in style, creating a striking contrast to the surrounding mock Tudor, Arts and Crafts, and red-brick properties, yet it remained respectful in scale, form, and tone. The project enhanced the architectural diversity of the area and demonstrated how thoughtful modern design could complement traditional village settings without disruption or pastiche.
Security and resilience were also key considerations. The scheme aimed to meet ‘Secured by Design’ standards through careful planning and specification. Windows and doors incorporated high-performance locking systems and laminated glazing, and passive surveillance was achieved through careful window placement and external lighting. The garage provided secure storage for bicycles, and all access points were designed for both security and ease of movement.
Ultimately, the Birchwood project offered a clear demonstration of how a well-conceived replacement dwelling could transform a dated and inefficient property into a high-quality, sustainable, and architecturally expressive modern home. Through rigorous analysis, sensitive planning, and an iterative design process, ID Architecture delivered a dwelling that exceeded the expectations of the brief, enhanced its surroundings, and raised the standard for rural residential design in the region. The resulting home now stands as a carefully crafted example of contemporary domestic architecture—confident, sustainable, and deeply rooted in its site.
GALLERY
