This new mews style house for a photographer and his wife is located in a Conservation Area in Leamington Spa. It is a garden development located on a Close to the rear of the client's existing house. The family have all grown up and the client wants to downsize to this new two-bedroom home so they can maintain living in the area which they have spent most of their lives.

While the character of the new house is unmistakably contemporary it has been designed to sit discreetly within its more traditional context, while giving a strong presence to the end of the Close. Surrounded by a number of mature trees and partially hidden behind an existing boundary wall, it was a challenge to bring in natural light to the habitable spaces. The sense of enclosure has been used to create a south facing courtyard garden which opens directly to the ground floor volume to maximise daylight into the living space. The void above the entrance area allows light brought in by the roof-lit stairwell to filter down into the heart of the house.