Reviving a 1930s gem with arts and elegance

This ambitious project breathes new life into a 1930s residence by blending the storied charm of arts and crafts architecture with cutting-edge contemporary design. It evolves into a stunning example of how thoughtful renovations can create harmonious living crafted by the Urban Projects Bureau.

Perched atop a scenic bluff with a view of Guildford below, the ‘House on the Hill’ stands as a unique monument to the metamorphic potential of audacious design and refurbishment. Inspired by the timeless elegance of Arts and Crafts homes, this domestic addition and renovation, crafted by Urban Projects Bureau, showcases a vision and skill that is truly one-of-a-kind.

The property, originally built in the 1930s, was in dire need of remodelling to accommodate an expanding family. The project’s design-led methodology strongly emphasised building a sequence of dramatic and inspirational living areas that blend in well with the natural surroundings. This strategy enhances the breathtaking views of the sky, city, and garden while bringing peace and openness throughout the house.

The creative use of pre-existing materials was a crucial component of the makeover. The property has an inherent beauty, and character is enhanced by the expert integration of repurposed bricks, tiles, and timbers from the existing structure into the new design. One of the more audacious decisions was to nearly touch the garden by extending the back roofline to the bottom floor. This creative extension made two new ‘inhabitable’ dormer windows possible. A new staircase that leads to two more bedrooms in the roof is housed in the second dormer, which extends from the first to the second level. The first dormer creates a spectacular double-height living space, stretching from the ground to the first floor.

The house on the Hill’s windows were painstakingly built to produce a variety of spatial interactions between the inside and outside. Framed vistas at the front of the home provide a formal outlook over the city and garden. On the other hand, the back of the house has a more relaxed and sculptural appearance, with three-dimensional windows that beckon occupants to live there and take advantage of the space.

The new fireplace and chimney were placed in the floor plan at a key ‘pivot’ location. This focal point serves as the design’s anchor, generating a fluid movement around the newly organised living areas at the back. The garden room welcomes guests with a double-height view of the surrounding countryside and a peek through the staircase to the top of the home. The chimney leads guests through the house and under the stairs.

This exquisite makeover, which was finished in 2018, is evidence of the Urban Projects Bureau’s skill and meticulous attention to detail. A true masterwork of design and refurbishment has been produced by the project team, which also includes photographer Kilian O’Sullivan, Christie’s Carpentry & Constructions Ltd., and Constant Structural Design. The House on the Hill, which combines modern architectural sensibility with historical inspiration, not only revitalises a once-neglected building but also establishes a new benchmark for domestic additions and renovations

For more details , Visit : https://www.urbanprojectsbureau.com/

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