Thornborough Park

Carefully detailed, small scale new build development on the fringes of Ufford

Working with design-led house builder and developer, Nest Development, our brief was to design a small group of individual homes on the outskirts of Ufford. The houses were restricted to being single story, responding directly to the elevated the site. The setting was enhanced by the creation of generous green communal spaces and provision of sheltered courtyards. Special attention has been paid to the brickwork, which elevates and individualises the external appearance of the homes. The houses also have a net zero carbon energy demand.

Based on the ubiquitous bungalow pitched form, the gable end of each house has been split in two and slid, creating sheltered external spaces that are protected from the noise of the A12 just beyond the site. Each house was carefully developed to respond to its individual position on the site, resulting in a group of unique but related homes.

Using herringbone brick as a key motif, as found in the local vernacular, the ‘slid’ faces and window openings are emphasised in recessed brickwork panels and projecting brickwork frames. The warm buff brick and light mortar mix were selected as reference to the classic Suffolk gault brick.

Internally, the homes are zoned into the two halves of the building, with the north side housing bedrooms and secondary accommodation; and the south side large open plan living spaces that capture natural light from the south facing windows. Bespoke elements of joinery create separation between the functional circulation spaces and the main living areas, while allowing light to pass through into the centre of the plan. Bespoke rooflight openings wash light down the central wall, punching light into the heart of the plan.

PV solar panels integrated on the south facing roof pitches, and Air Source Heat Pumps work together to provide all heating and hot water, in turn reducing the carbon demand of the homes. At completion, each of the homes achieved a net zero carbon emission rating as part of their SAP reports, and all achieved EPCs of A.