When their neighbours decided to build a new home in their back garden, John and Alison began to see the potential in their own generous plot.
They realised they could create their dream home while remaining in the area they loved. Having been living in a century-old property, the couple had long decided that when they next moved house, it would be to somewhere modern and energy-efficient. So, when the opportunity came to design their new home from scratch, they were excited to create a bespoke contemporary space tailored perfectly to their lifestyle, both now and for the future.
Designing a Bespoke Contemporary Home
Although full of character, their previous home was difficult to heat and often felt cold and draughty during the winter months. Their vision for the new house was very different: a striking modern home that would still feel warm, welcoming and comfortable. Natural light was a key priority, alongside creating a generous sense of space, and so large rooms, open-plan areas, high ceilings and expansive glazing were incorporated into the design.
Building for the Future
Futureproofing was another important consideration. The couple wanted a home that would continue to meet their needs as they grew older. Provision has been made for a future lift, with the lift shaft currently serving as a practical storage space until required. They also incorporated a lower ground floor with its own external entrance, designed as a study today, but easily adaptable into self-contained accommodation for a live-in carer, if needed, in years to come.
Securing Planning Permission
Together with their neighbours, John and Alison submitted a joint planning application for three individually designed homes, each positioned within the rear gardens of neighbouring properties and accessed via a proposed private road. The application attracted considerable local interest, resulting in a lengthy planning process. Although permission was initially refused, the design team addressed the concerns raised, and the scheme was ultimately approved by the planning committee.
Choosing Timber Frame Construction
The couple chose timber frame construction because of its speed of build, excellent thermal performance and lower environmental impact compared with other construction methods. They first heard about Scandia-Hus through friends who had completed their own successful self-build project. The company’s reputation, 50 years of experience, transparent pricing and comprehensive service gave them confidence that they had chosen the right partner.
A Fully Managed Build
Scandia-Hus project managed the entire construction process, transforming the couple’s design concept into a completed home. The team produced the detailed construction drawings from the architectural plans, manufactured and erected the timber frame, coordinated specialist subcontractors and oversaw the build through to completion. Close collaboration between the clients and project team ensured that any challenges were resolved quickly, allowing the project to progress smoothly.
A Home Designed for Energy Efficiency
Creating an energy-efficient home was central to the brief. The highly insulated, airtight timber frame, combined with triple-glazed windows and doors, delivers exceptional thermal performance throughout the year. Renewable technologies, including an air source heat pump and solar panels further reduce the home’s environmental impact while keeping energy bills low. The result is a comfortable home that is economical to run.
Contemporary Exterior
Hidden from the main road and accessed via a private driveway, the finished four-bedroom home enjoys a peaceful setting surrounded by gardens that are an integral part of the overall design. The exterior combines warm buff and grey brickwork at ground-floor level with vertical timber cladding above, creating a contemporary appearance. The landscaped gardens provide generous outdoor living space, featuring a sheltered patio for dining, raised decking, planting of trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses, lawns and a swimming pool, creating a seamless extension of the indoor living areas.
Light-Filled Interiors
Inside, generously proportioned rooms blend contemporary finishes with natural timber details to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. The heart of the home is the spacious open-plan kitchen, dining and living area, where large windows and sliding doors flood the interior with natural light while opening directly onto the garden. A dramatic double-height ceiling enhances the feeling of space, while a separate sitting room offers a more intimate retreat for cosy evenings.
Reflections
Looking back on their self-build journey, John and Alison couldn’t be happier with the outcome. Building their own home allowed them to realise a vision that simply wasn’t available on the local property market, while enabling them to remain in the neighbourhood they love. Today, they enjoy a home that perfectly reflects their lifestyle: light-filled, spacious, energy efficient and designed to adapt to their future needs. Their project demonstrates how, with the right construction partner, an underused garden plot can be transformed into an exceptional forever home.
Location: Kent
Completed: September 2023
Size: Gross External Area – 353.6 sq. m. / 3,806 sq. ft. – (plus basement) 61 sq. m. / 656.6 sq. ft.
Build Cost: Approximate cost to build similar sized home (excluding basement):
– Self Project Management cost from £240 per sq. ft. = £913,440
– Main Contractor cost from £260 per sq. ft. = £989,560
See our self build price guide page for more details on how much it costs to build your own home.
Testimonial: “Overall we were very happy with the service. At the contract stage Scandia were very clear and transparent about the costings and flexible as to the aspects we wanted to manage ourselves. Scandia provided a turnkey service; we had a good project manager on board and everything went pretty smoothly; any problems were quickly addressed. Scandia were easy to deal with and delivered on their promises.”
Ground Floor Plan:
First Floor Plan:
