Georgian
House

A neo-classical family home designed around symmetry, sunlight and uninterrupted views. Before: this was a straightforward rural self-build on paper - until we seen what sat beside the site: an historic rath. That single detail meant archaeology had to be part of the design conversation from day one, shaping how the site could be approached and developed. Then access became the next constraint. The obvious lane option was simply too long (and too expensive), so the clients took the practical route and purchased an additional strip of land from the nearby church to make the site workable. Solution: we designed a square, neo-classical home with disciplined front elevation symmetry, but a distinctly modern family layout behind it. The clients wanted straight lines, bright rooms and a house that felt “proper” from the outset - while still functioning for two small children, muddy boots and real life. The plan revolves around an open-plan kitchen, living and dining space positioned to the rear and oriented south to pull in daylight and solar gain. Larger glazed openings and French doors open directly to the deck and views, making the countryside feel like part of the interior. At the same time, careful internal planning protects the front façade’s balance - so you get classical proportions where they matter, without compromising on how the house is used. Performance is integrated rather than bolted on: solar panels are designed to sit flush with the roof finish and kept to the rear elevation, so the “tech” doesn’t compete with the architecture. The material palette is intentionally traditional and robust - concrete blockwork and slabs, concrete tiles, PVC sliding sash windows, traditional plaster and concrete mouldings, paired with a double storey-and-a-half integrated garage (finished in whitewashed brickwork) plus a boot room that will earn its keep. This project is still pre-construction, but the design resolves three big pressures cleanly: heritage sensitivity, cost-effective access and the tension between formal neo-classical symmetry and contemporary open-plan living.