Malaga
Featured on C4′s Grand Designs

Gil Briffa proudly claimed on the Channel 4 TV show ‘Grand Designs Abroad’ how there was no “refuge for the imagination” when his ideas on colours met resistance in Spain.

Kevin McCloud said of the house “If there is genius here it is in the way the design takes some simple modernist shapes and with light and shadow has fun with them. The question as to whether it fits in with its surroundings has to be asked… the answer is yes it does and not least because great architecture always embellishes the landscape. Ultimately, it is glamorous, exciting and it makes you feel good just being here, and as a retirement home it’s just what Gil and Hilary wanted”.

Once a grand family house this Listed Building became the Youth Hostel Association HQ and then a re development opportunity. Set amongst large grounds with up to 70 protected trees this site also came with Conservation Area constraints. The main house was subdivided into gracious freehold properties and new flats and houses were set out to form a courtyard and garden setting. Garages were positioned remotely amongst the large forest trees that characterise this lovely place.

Behind these relatively modest traditional elevations some bold features mark these houses out. Upon arrival at the front door you have sight over a semi basement double height reception room. This basement kitchen/living space has direct access over a private sunken rear patio. Upstairs there’s a full width formal lounge with views over private gardens. Bedrooms are planned with proper dressing areas and lofted ceilings. These properties sold well in these most difficult of economic times.

The project looked at extending the property on both ends whilst remodeling the interior. We particularly like the way the glass extension ‘cuts’ the space, bringing the garden into the plan of the house.

Located between Wheathampstead and St Albans this replacement dwelling is stylish and modern yet fits elegantly in it’s traditional context. We enjoyed the scheme for it’s attention to detail, material and family living spaces.