Lebois House, Chesham, Buckinghamshire

The Lebois House started life as a 1920s bungalow. As common to many single storey dwellings of this age, it evolved over time with various incongruous extensions being added. It was always the intention to remodel the house, and to try make sense of the floor plans that had simply grown, in all directions, without any real thought or rationale. The option to completely demolish the existing was presented to the Clients, but considered to be, perhaps “a step too far” – so we worked with the existng structure, modified and added to, allowing the creation of new more practical and enjoyable spaces. Planning and Conservation Area consent was granted to add a large wing to one side, to complete a “U” shaped plan form, naturally creating a courtyard space to the front of the property.

With the existing dwelling nestled in the slope of the site, the courtyard allowed a layered, stepped approach to the entrance – once within, the sense of openness, light and space is immediate. Double sliding doors through from the entrance hallway, and dining space reveal the main living room, and beyond, the stunning view down the maturely landscaped garden, and over to the Chesham Hills – something that has only now been fully realised.

The accommodation has been reworked to offer complete flexibility for the Clients, to allow their teenage children to come and go as they please, with their own sleeping and entertaining space, and a further self-contained wing for grandparent visits/stays. The kitchen/dining space remains as the central hub, where all can come together.

The clients had previoulsy owned and renovated one of the “modernist houses”, in Chesham, designed by Amyas D Connell, and built in 1931, so they were keen to make some reference to that, with this project. Connell was influenced by Le Corbusier, and this is very evident in the design and appearance of these properties, which are now Grade II Listed, and are described by English Heritage as “of outstanding importance, as the first truly convincing essay in the international style in England”. When it came to discussing materials for this project with the Clients, they were keen to return to their previous home, and employ white render, with aluminium windows (not the Crittall type however) – they were persuaded to break this on the front, with some vertical timber cladding.