Didacious Designs Architects

Located on the edge of Preston Park Conservation Area this back land site has many constraints that ultimately determine the location, massing and orientation of the proposed passivhaus. As architects in Brighton we prefer to use the site constraints to aid the development of the project. The site was initially analysed in great detail culminating in the creation of a 3 Dimensional CAD model to enable the creation of a sun study.

Dating from the 16th century, Broadstone Farmhouse is a Grade II listed property which lies immediately to the west of Chailey Common. It is set in a farm context with a barn to the south, and former cowsheds converted to a dwelling to the east. The house is situated upon a site that slopes considerably from west to east, necessitating a retaining wall to the east of the house to provide a reasonably level house platform.

The Cotterlings was originally build in around 1650 as a timber-framed building. It was radically altered at the end of the Georgian period. The most notable aspect of this house is the striking contrast between the black and the red of the mathematical tile facing, and this element highlights some of the problems of dating.

We were invited by the Royal Institute of British Architects to develop a scheme to encourage the regeneration of Hastings. The scheme called 'So Create A Difference Hastings, was undertaken to revitalise a place in the town and participate in a community workshop at the resulting exhibition.

Our scheme is proposing to reminisce and recreate the engineering marvels of the Victorian period by rebuilding the square kype of Hastings castle at the edge of Ladies Parlour in the form of a tower with steps to nowhere.This will enable unbroken views over the entire town and directly onto the largest beach launched fishing fleet in Europe, famously painted by Turner.

The alterations included fitting oak replacement windows and doors, replanning the kitchen, utility, WC and secondary entrance area, new contemporary glass and stainless steel spiral staircase and to alter the large space above the kitchen wing to accomodate two bedrooms, bathrooms and changing. Consent was also granted to add two large solar thermal panels onto the south facing rear elevation.