Courtyard House

Year | 2025

Location | Old Bursledon Conservation Area

Project status | Complete

A Contemporary New Build Home in the Old Bursledon Conservation Area

This contemporary new build home is in the heart of the Old Bursledon Conservation Area. We designed the courtyard house to combine modern family living with a low environmental impact. At its centre is a quiet courtyard with a rainwater harvesting pond, which collects and reuses water on site.

The design takes traditional building forms and materials found across Old Bursledon and reinterprets them in a modern way. The result feels at home in the village while being clearly of its time. Part of the accommodation sits in a basement, which adds generous living space while keeping the house low in the landscape and respectful of its countryside setting.

The house is designed to be highly energy efficient. Air source heat pumps provide low-carbon heating, and green roofs add insulation and support biodiversity. The gardens are landscaped to create habitats for local wildlife, adding to the natural character of the conservation area.

Building in a conservation area, among Grade II listed buildings, means the design has to satisfy both the client and the planners. Careful design and detailed drawings were key to gaining planning approval.

Client Feedback

“We were introduced to Giles Architects through a recommendation. The architectural and project management service from Alex and his team has been outstanding throughout our challenging new build project. From our very first meeting with Alex, we could see his passion, knowledge and enthusiasm, which proved invaluable.

Being in a conservation area, amongst Grade II listed buildings of special architectural and historic interest, our project had to be designed and planned to suit not only our requirements but also those of the planners. We were blown away by their commitment and by the attention to detail in the amazing drawings they produced.”

Planning to build in a conservation area?
Get in touch with our Winchester studio to talk about your site and how we can help you get planning approval.