Surrey home offers a minimalist arts and crafts aesthetic
This Surrey home designed by Alexander Martin Architects combines modern simplicity with historic architecture for its built environment of arts and crafts.
A new home in Surrey, in Claygate, takes its cues from the arts and crafts environment around it, in the latest project by Alexander Martin Architects. The design of the house replaces a smaller 1920s structure located in a generous location, and offers an abstract reinterpretation of the aesthetics of Arts and Crafts. The result is a warm, contemporary home that connects the historical approach with the minimalist styles of 21st century architecture.
Doing something different has been the requirement from the start on this commission – as has the commitment to create a functional home suitable for everyday family life. “Our clients were clear from the start that they didn’t want an ordinary home and were ready to do something bold in the suburbs,” says Alexander Martin, founder of the London architecture studio. However, the design and materials have been carefully orchestrated to create a series of spaces that best meet the needs of the family while maintaining an elegant appearance.
The materials chosen for the architectural installation fit the clean and concise aesthetic the design team was aiming for. But they’re also simple, durable materials that feel hardwearing and aren’t too precious. Concrete floors, black steel stairs, and black veneered carpentry make up a simple, monochromatic palette.
Meanwhile, the use of insulated, structurally insulated, quick to install and prefabricated CLT panels ensures minimal time spent on site construction. This resulted in minimal wastage and disruption to neighbors during construction work. The heat pump assists the air source in sustainable heating.
In a relatively typical layout arrangement, the ground floor contains a range of generous living spaces, while the bedrooms and bathrooms are located upstairs. Everything is wrapped in a faded polished brick veneer arranged in two sloping volumes connected by a smaller flat roof section. While the outline indicates the shapes of the surrounding homes, the color and detail clearly distinguish that the property was a 21st century build – building at home in its residential setting, while also thriving in its confident, contemporary attitude. §
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