Orchid
A pavilion reimagined
Nestled within a Victorian walled garden stands a bold one-storey modernist home. Constructed by others over two decades ago, the house draws inspiration from the minimalist elegance of Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona Pavilion and the 1960s modernist works of Michael Manser.
We are working to revitalise this architectural gem and bring it into the 21st century, transforming it into a more sustainable home. This includes integrating solar panels, an air-source heat pump, MVHR, and rainwater harvesting to future-proof the building while preserving its inherent character.
Project details
Client
Private client
Location
Sussex
Area
390 square meters
Type
Residential
The main limitation of the project lay in the existing lightweight steel frame. Given the home’s remote setting, it was originally conceived to be as minimal as possible – architecturally and structurally. The result is an elegant but inherently rigid framework that leaves little room for intrusive interventions.
Our approach has been to honour this original fabric. We’ve worked carefully to minimise disruption, repurposing existing underfloor heating coils where possible and restricting alterations to non-structural partitions only. These light-touch strategies allow the finishes and interiors to take centre stage, a natural reflection of our client’s background in interior design.
The Orchid is a very clear expression of our ethos: created by us, but always inspired by you.
This project reflects our ethos: breathing new life into an existing home. This celebrated piece of modernist architecture is revived through careful detailing and improved environmental performance. New sustainable systems, including an air-source heat pump (ASHP), a 19-panel solar array, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR), and an electronic rainwater harvesting, quietly enhance the building’s integrity while dramatically reducing its environmental footprint. The result is a renewed dialogue between innovation and restraint.
A bespoke enclosed kitchen is made up of elements of furniture. Custom joinery, soft textures, and natural tones infuse the interiors with a welcoming warmth, complementing the property’s modernist lines and driven by the client’s background in interior design.
The transformation aims to deliver a significantly more sustainable home than the original build. By retaining the existing curtain-wall glazing, we avoid the carbon cost of removal, disposal and refabrication. Externally, the original louvred shading system is being restored to protect the south-facing façade, while a new air-conditioning strategy inside (powered by the solar panels) provides essential cooling and improves internal comfort without additional demands on energy.
