Building a new home wasn’t particularly on the agenda for Nicola Robinson and David Carr when they started browsing various properties online in their hometown of Woking.
But their interest is piqued when they come across a dilapidated 1940s bungalow on a road they’ve always loved, just two miles from the center of town.
“David was working in Athens at the time so I went out to look at it and although the price seemed too high for what it was, it was an obvious candidate for a rebuilding project,” says Nicola. “It was in the market for a long time and on further investigation, we found that it is on the green belt where it has potential. Building a new home can be restricted.
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Project details
- location Woking, Surrey
- project Separate self-build
- make way Construction contract
- Build costs £1.1m
- The size of the house 268 square meters
- Architect Kate Stoddart
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Constraints in planning
Undaunted by potential complications, the couple sought planning advice to reassure themselves that such was the case Self-creation They wanted that to be possible, and then put in an offer, which was accepted.
But the process was far from plain sailing – the existing property was a bungalow and although the new neighboring houses were multi-storey, the planners were reluctant to accept anything taller.
Finally, in February 2022, two and a half years after purchasing the plot, Planning permission Granted after going to appeal. While in the beginning Looking for an architectThe pair intended to found a local firm and after meeting Kate Stoddart, they felt her style aligned with their own.
“She was with us from the start and it was Kate who recommended the planning consultants we used in the early stages,” says Nicola. “We liked the fact that she was straightforward and didn’t try to make you feel like she was working on a mystical art that you wouldn’t understand.”
It also helped that Nicola and David had their own ideas about the style of home they wanted, “contemporary and modern, not a pastiche of period styles,” as David says. “Basically we were after a clean design that worked, and that maximized light and great views.”
Another key requirement was for several living areas on the ground floor, each with the ability to interconnect.
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Option for design
The result of the collaboration was a two-storey house that is architecturally distinctive for its bold geometric form – a series of cuboids in dark brick and with vertical wooden cladding.
“Its refined details are designed to add a quiet elegance, plus it has generous proportions without being too imposing for its setting,” says Kate Stoddart. “It really allows residents to fully enjoy everything this green belt site has to offer, compared to the traditional design nearby.”
Although Kate presented her clients with plans in many other styles, the cuboid version was the unanimous choice for practical as well as aesthetic reasons.
“With boxiness you get a good space upstairs,” says David. “You don’t have to compromise around features like dormer windows or because of awkward corners and walls. Plus, Flat roof The ideal way was to make the most of the building’s height by providing opportunities for roof lights and adding more height to key areas, as well as hiding 20. Solar PV panels“
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Eco requirements
Sustainability is also integral to design, but achieving it is not necessarily a straightforward process.
“From the start we decided we wanted an A rating for energy efficiency but after we started the project the rules on how energy efficiency is rated changed,” says David.
“It made it difficult to achieve an A rating, but by tightening up on many aspects at the construction stage, we achieved it. A lot of it was about getting more. Airtightness Right, which asked for a little more rigidity upstairs, was a wooden floor.”
Visible signs of the home’s eco credentials include the stunning polished concrete floor embedding wet Underfloor heatingwhich is governed by one Air source heat pump.
Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) ensures year-round fresh air with minimal heat loss, while solar panels offset energy consumption, supporting low-carbon living.
“We were also going to have triple-glazed windows, but we found a double-glazed option with the same impressive solar gain qualities, with the added benefit of being more slimline,” says Kate. “Unfortunately David’s attempt to grow tomatoes indoors is not good because he says it cuts off the solar wavelengths needed for photosynthesis.”
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Interior style
It is a credit to Nicola and David’s own sense of style that the ground floor accommodates flexible living, with Kitchen island and full height Sliding doors which opens into the garden.
Helping the indoor and outdoor spaces to flow seamlessly, this sense of continuity is created throughout the hallway by metal-framed double doors paired opposite each other, leading you into the main living areas.
In turn, sliding glass doors open onto the patio and allow free circulation between interior and exterior spaces. Now firmly established in a home that exemplifies spatial clarity, craftsmanship and environmental responsibility, the couple credits both the architect and builder for the final product.
“On Marcus Eight buildings Kate worked a lot with them and between them they came up with many creative ways to achieve great results, saving us good money in the process,” says David.
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“One of the things we love most about this house is that when you stand back and look at it, whether it’s from the front or the back, it has a lot of presence without being too big – it’s a smart design,” concludes David.
The design was also a clear hit with our audience, as the project won the Readers’ Choice Award in the public vote for 2025. Homebuilding and Renovating Awards.
For more inspiration, explore this A converted substation tower in Cornwall With extensive rural views, or this A Manhattan-inspired loft conversion in London.
