We’re delighted to share that Charlotte has been named the East Midlands winner of LABC’s Best Residential & Small Commercial Designer award.
The LABC (Local Authority Building Control) Awards are the largest building awards in the building control sector, recognising achievement and contributions across the construction industry.
We’re incredibly proud to see Charlotte’s technical knowledge, collaborative approach, passion for sustainable design and enthusiasm for sharing ideas recognised through this award.
A huge congratulations to Charlotte on this fantastic achievement.
The full list of winners can be found on the LABC website.
Published by Esther Esther_Hamilton-Dick inAwards, News
Successful hospitality design involves far more than creating additional floor space. It requires an understanding of how people experience a place, protecting the atmosphere that makes it special and ensuring the architecture supports both customer experience and business performance.
This philosophy shaped our transformation of Escabeche, a much-loved Spanish tapas restaurant in West Bridgford. Already known for its lively outdoor terrace and relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere, the restaurant had become a firm local favourite during the summer months. The challenge was to extend that experience throughout the year without losing the character that made the restaurant successful.
Extending the Terrace Experience
The existing terrace offered customers the feeling of dining outdoors beneath a lightweight timber pergola. However, its reliance on good weather limited its use during colder months, reducing the restaurant’s capacity when additional covers could have delivered significant commercial value. Rather than approaching the project as a straightforward extension, we focused on preserving Escabeche’s identity while introducing the comfort and flexibility of a year-round dining environment.
The new enclosure needed to feel light and open, rather than like a heavy addition attached to the front of the building. Drawing inspiration from the original pergola, we developed an architectural language that blurs the boundary between inside and outside.
A series of exposed timber elements extends across both the external dining area and enclosed restaurant space. Behind these, a highly insulated glazed structure provides year-round comfort, while carefully detailed timber linings conceal the structural roof system. The result creates a sense of continuity, allowing guests to remain visually connected beneath the same architectural language whether dining inside or out.
Technical Coordination Behind a Simple Design
Achieving this understated appearance required detailed technical coordination. Rather than relying on expensive bespoke glazing systems, we selected an off-the-shelf roof system and carefully coordinated its structural rhythm with the timber framework below.
The spacing of each roof member, glazing bar and timber lining required meticulous planning. These details allow the finished architecture to appear effortless, despite the technical complexity behind it.
The internal layout also required careful consideration. We tested seating arrangements, furniture dimensions and customer circulation throughout the design process, maximising capacity while maintaining generous movement and the relaxed atmosphere that defines Escabeche.
Creating a Flexible Connection to the Terrace
One of the project’s most demanding elements involved the fully opening six-panel bi-fold entrance. Tight site boundaries left virtually no margin for error, so we coordinated the wall positions and openings with precision to ensure the doors could fold completely clear within the available space. During warmer months, the entire frontage opens onto the existing terrace, restoring the open-air dining experience that customers already enjoyed. When the weather changes, the space can close to provide a comfortable year-round environment.
Elsewhere, a carefully positioned picture window frames views towards the nearby church spire, drawing natural light deeper into the dining area and strengthening the restaurant’s connection with its surroundings. The window also forms part of the building’s fire strategy, incorporating a 60-minute fire-rated glazed screen. This allowed the escape routes to function safely without compromising the openness of the interior.
Materials, Branding and Identity
Material selection played an important role in maintaining the lightness and character of the design. Soft green glazed tiles introduce texture, depth and subtle reflections, complementing the restaurant’s Mediterranean identity without overwhelming the existing building. Natural timber and generous glazing create an inviting environment that feels bright, relaxed and connected to the original terrace.
Our involvement also extended to the coordination of signage, branding and architectural elements. Using detailed 3D modelling, we tested the scale and placement of signs and graphics alongside the building’s proportions from the earliest stages.
This approach allowed the branding to become an integral part of the architecture rather than an afterthought, helping the completed restaurant feel cohesive in every detail.
A Restaurant Designed to Evolve
The completed project has transformed how Escabeche operates. By significantly increasing the number of covers while allowing its popular terrace to remain usable throughout the year, the extension supports the restaurant’s commercial ambitions without sacrificing its distinctive atmosphere.
Escabeche demonstrates how thoughtful commercial architecture can enhance an established business. By combining hospitality design, technical precision and a close understanding of customer experience, the project creates a space that feels as though it has always belonged—protecting the restaurant’s character while allowing it to evolve.
Considering a commercial or hospitality project?
We welcome conversations about how thoughtful architectural design can support your business, whether you are adapting an existing space, extending your premises or developing a new concept.
Nestled within one of West Bridgford's most established conservation areas, The Valley House transforms an existing family home, revealing potential that wasn't immediately obvious. Rather than simply extending the property, we balanced family life, landscape, heritage and proportion to create a home that feels both timeless and entirely bespoke.
From the street, the finished home presents a calm and elegant symmetry that appears effortless. In reality, this balance emerged gradually. As with every project we undertake, we began from the inside out, focusing first on how the family wanted to live rather than how the building should look.
Working closely with the clients, we planned each space around the rhythms of everyday family life. The resulting layout connects the generous footprint in an intuitive way.
As the internal arrangement evolved, an unexpected opportunity emerged. The positioning of rooms, circulation and extensions naturally began to echo one another. Recognising this, we refined the architecture further, enlarging existing dormers, adjusting window positions and subtly reshaping the original building until the front elevation achieved its balanced composition.
The result is an elegant, almost symmetrical façade that feels entirely at home within its surroundings, despite the extensive remodelling behind it. The architecture appears obvious only because we carefully considered every decision.
Designing Within a Conservation Area
The project's sensitive conservation area setting required close collaboration with both the local conservation officer and tree officer. Detailed planning submissions, supported by arboricultural reports and extensive site analysis, demonstrated how the proposals would enhance the property while protecting the area's mature landscape and historic character.
Existing Tree Preservation Orders played a significant role in shaping the design. Rather than viewing these constraints as obstacles, we used them to refine the architecture further.
The surrounding trees influenced the position of the extension, external landscaping and subtle adjustments to the building's footprint. This approach ensured that the proposal respected both the visible landscape and the unseen root protection zones beneath it.
Reimagining the Garden
The rear of the home tells an equally thoughtful story. Initially, we considered positioning the new swimming pool in the part of the garden that enjoyed the last of the evening sunshine. However, as we analysed the garden in greater detail, it became clear that the family would benefit more from using this prime position as an outdoor entertaining space. After all, families are far more likely to gather around a dining table at sunset than spend every evening in the pool.
This subtle shift in thinking fundamentally changed the garden's layout. The swimming pool found its place within the wider composition, while generous terraces and outdoor seating now occupy the warmest corner of the site.
The result is a garden designed around how people genuinely live, rather than how gardens are traditionally planned.
Landscape as Part of the Architecture
Landscape architecture formed an integral part of the overall design from the outset. We proportioned the rear terrace as an extension of the architecture itself, considering every level, retaining wall and planting zone during the planning process.
Generous planting terraces between the house and garden soften the scale of the substantial rear extension. They also help the building settle naturally into its landscape while creating opportunities for seasonal planting and biodiversity.
This relationship between house and garden continues throughout the interior. From the front entrance, carefully aligned views draw the eye through the heart of the home before opening onto the rear terrace and descending gently into the landscaped garden beyond. These long sightlines reinforce the sense of connection across the entire property. They also help the large family home feel calm, cohesive and effortless to navigate.
Using Technology to Refine the Design
Technology played a significant role throughout the design process. We used immersive virtual reality and detailed 3D modelling to explore the impact of the extension, terraces and surrounding landscape long before construction began.
This allowed the design team and clients to understand the scale of every intervention. We could then refine proportions and relationships with confidence before excavating a single foundation.
A Pergola Designed Around the Trees
One particularly distinctive feature is the bespoke timber pergola that frames the outdoor entertaining space. We designed the structure around a no-dig foundation system to protect the surrounding tree roots. The pergola wraps gently around an established mature tree, celebrating its presence rather than competing with it. The structure creates a sheltered outdoor room, offering shade during warmer months while allowing planting to soften its appearance over time. This strengthens the connection between architecture and landscape and helps the pergola settle naturally within its surroundings.
A Considered Arrival
We gave the arrival sequence the same level of attention as the rest of the project. The redesigned entrance porch sits alongside a new in-and-out driveway. Detailed vehicle tracking analysis helped us ensure that the revised layout functioned as beautifully as it looked.
We considered every movement, from arriving home by car to walking through the front door, as part of a seamless architectural experience.
Architecture Shaped by Careful Decisions
The Valley House is a project defined not by grand gestures, but by hundreds of carefully considered decisions. It demonstrates our belief that the best residential architecture grows from understanding how people truly live, responding intelligently to site constraints and allowing design opportunities to reveal themselves through careful planning rather than imposing preconceived ideas.
The result is a contemporary family home that sits comfortably within its historic setting while delivering generous, light-filled spaces designed around modern life.
At The Valley House, conservation, landscape and architecture work together to create a home that feels both enduring and effortlessly liveable.
Set within the picturesque conservation area of Norwell, Fair View is a contemporary replacement dwelling designed to sit comfortably within a sensitive historic setting. The house sits close to a Grade II listed water tower, so the project called for a careful balance between architectural ambition and a considered planning strategy.
The result is a distinctly contemporary home that responds respectfully to its rural surroundings.
Designing within the planning context
The site itself shaped the early design process. Rather than demolishing the existing bungalow immediately, we advised the client to retain it throughout the planning process.
This allowed us to pursue a replacement dwelling application while demonstrating the relationship between the existing and proposed homes. Detailed 3D modelling showed that the new house would occupy a similar footprint, ridge height and overall position to the bungalow.
By clearly illustrating the scale and position of the proposal, we demonstrated that the new dwelling would have no greater impact on the conservation area than the existing property. This gave us the opportunity to develop a contemporary architectural response while respecting local planning policy.
A home designed around the client
The client's vision was refreshingly clear. After years in a large period home filled with generous rooms and the bustle of family life, she wanted something entirely different. Rather than simply downsizing, she wanted a home designed specifically around the way she now lived; calm, efficient and deeply personal. Scandinavian architecture provided an important influence, with the brief centred on simplicity, natural materials and carefully framed views. These ideas helped create a home that feels warm and understated while maintaining a strong connection with its landscape.
Designing from the inside out
Our design process always begins from the inside out, and Fair View was no exception. We positioned each room around the client's daily routines rather than conventional expectations of how a home should work. The open-plan kitchen, dining and living space forms the heart of the house. Expansive south-facing glazing opens directly onto the garden, bringing natural light deep into the interior throughout the day.
Upstairs, the principal suite creates a more private retreat. Alongside the bedroom, a dedicated lounge provides a quiet place to read, relax and enjoy views across the garden without feeling disconnected from the rest of the home.
The ground floor also remains flexible enough to accommodate the wider family. Adaptable living spaces can support larger dining arrangements, Christmas gatherings and family celebrations without compromising the everyday experience of the house.
A contemporary house rooted in its setting
From the approach, a restrained palette of vertical timber cladding, clean gabled forms and carefully composed openings gives the house a quiet confidence. The architecture takes subtle cues from traditional agricultural buildings, helping the contemporary form sit naturally within its rural setting. Generous glazing and crisp detailing then establish its distinctly modern character.
Landscape played an equally important role. Rather than treating the garden as an afterthought, we developed it as part of the architectural concept. Carefully positioned planting and multi-stem trees soften the front elevation, allowing the timber-clad form to emerge naturally from its setting.
At the rear, the private south-facing garden provides a peaceful backdrop to everyday life and strengthens the connection between the house and landscape.
Designing for light, comfort and energy efficiency
One of the defining features of Fair View is the generous first-floor balcony and deep roof overhang that stretches across the rear elevation. The overhang does more than create a strong architectural gesture. It provides solar shading to the extensive south-facing glazing, helping to reduce summer overheating while sheltering the terrace below.
We used solar analysis to establish the depth of the overhang, balancing solar control and energy efficiency with the need to maintain good levels of natural daylight. The result is a comfortable transition between the house and garden that works throughout the year.
Planning for the future
We also considered construction and future energy use from the earliest stages of the design. The simple, modular form lends itself to a range of construction methods, including Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), timber frame and traditional masonry. This approach gives flexibility during procurement while supporting efficient construction and strong thermal performance.
The design also incorporates dedicated service spaces for technologies such as air source heat pumps and other low-carbon systems. By planning for these requirements early, we could accommodate future technologies without sacrificing valuable living space.
A home shaped by its client and its context
Fair View demonstrates how contemporary architecture can respond confidently to both its surroundings and the way its client wants to live. The project brought together a deeply personal brief, Scandinavian influences, careful planning and sustainable thinking to create a home that feels calm, restrained and entirely individual.
It is a house designed not simply as a replacement for what was there before, but around a new chapter of life.
Design Haus have been awarded the title ‘Best Sustainable Residential Architecture Studio 2025 - UK’ in the 2025 Sustainable Building Awards, published by BUILD Magazine.
The BUILD Awards celebrate the remarkable innovation and dedication of businesses championing sustainable building practices.
It's great to receive this recognition!
As a small architectural practice, we offer a personal, bespoke approach to each project, ensuring that sustainability is considered at every stage. We encourage a dialogue on this important issue and take the time to listen to our clients and find solutions that work for both you and the environment. Our aim is that our projects will not only be beautiful and functional but also environmentally responsible.
We are excited to collaborate on projects that contribute to a sustainable built environment. If you’re looking to create a greener, more sustainable building, we’d love to hear from you.
If you would like to learn more about our commitment to sustainability you can read more, or get in touch to discuss your project - we'd love to hear from you.
We are delighted that Design Haus Architecture has been shortlisted for a Build It Award.
We are a finalist in the ‘Best Architect or Designer for a Conversion or Renovation’ category at the 2025 Awards, part of Build It Magazine.
These awards are all about celebrating every aspect of self build and renovation, including completed projects, products, services and suppliers.
We were shortlisted for our Priory House project in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire. The brief was to create a stunning, spacious family home, comprising five generous bedrooms, a large open-plan living space with easy access onto the gardens, an office, cinema room and reading spaces.
The resulting home is contemporary, with a clear Scandinavian influence, yet its scale, form, and articulation reference the adjacent Arts and Crafts architecture. The project was a collaborative journey: shaped by the client’s vision, refined through dialogue with neighbours, and guided by proactive planning discussions.
James says "This really was a collaborative effort and we are extremely proud of the completed project - so it’s fantastic that this has been recognised - to be shortlisted for this award is a huge honour for us!"
We are very much looking forward to celebrating with all the other finalists at the awards ceremony in November.
Our founder, James Brindley, was interviewed for Build It Magazine’s recent September feature on futureproofing your home. If you’re a Build It Magazine subscriber you can read the full article, along with lots of other useful articles on their website, or continue reading below for James' advice.
Why should futureproofing be on self builders’ radars?
Creating a lifelong home is important because people’s needs and technology are always changing. We’ve worked with a lot of repeat clients, and it’s always interesting to see how the way they use their homes evolves. Sometimes it’s because their kids are growing up, or they’ve started working from home, or they just want to make the most of the space now they’ve got a bit more disposable income. Designing with the future in mind means their home can grow with them, rather than needing bigger changes down the line.
What are some key architectural elements to include?
When designing for the future, one of the key principles to think about is flexibility; creating spaces that can adapt as life changes. That translates into features like open-plan areas with multiple layout options, multifunctional rooms and plenty of storage. We recently designed a home for a young family and included a ground-floor room with its own entrance and ensuite. Right now, it’s a home office, but there are plans for it to become a space for their children as they grow up, or even accommodation for an elderly relative in the future. Designing for adaptability from the outset means the home can continue to meet your needs for years to come. Futureproofing isn’t about second-guessing what might happen. It’s about making thoughtful decisions now that keep your options open later. Good design should feel effortless, but behind the scenes, it’s doing a lot of heavy lifting to make life easier as things change.
What should self builders prioritise in terms of insulation, heating and ventilation systems to ensure longevity?
Firstly, it’s about getting the building fabric right: high-performance insulation, triple glazing and good levels of airtightness all make a difference to energy efficiency. Then it’s about adding in systems that are low-maintenance, and ready for the future, such as underfloor heating powered by an air source heat pump, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery to keep air fresh without losing warmth.
Is it worth aiming for net-zero or Passivhaus standards?
Both are ambitious but genuinely worthwhile goals. They do take careful planning and a higher upfront investment, but the long-term benefits, lower energy bills, improved comfort and reduced environmental footprint can be significant. That said, it’s important to approach each project with balance. Not every site, budget or brief will allow for full Passivhaus certification, but applying the core principles – good airtightness, high insulation levels and passive solar design – can make a big difference to a home’s overall performance.
Is it more expensive to put in futureproofing features?
It can sometimes seem like a bigger investment initially, especially when it comes to insulation, glazing or renewable technologies. But for me, the real value often comes from the thinking behind it. While some materials do have higher upfront costs, a lot of futureproofing simply comes down to smart planning, taking the time to think carefully about how you’ll use the house, both now and as your family’s needs change. That bit of foresight can save a huge amount of time, cost and disruption later on.
Can adding smart tech be beneficial?
When it comes to technology, the key is getting the infrastructure in place early on. Even if clients don’t want to invest in the full smart home setup straight away, it’s worth wiring for things like electric vehicle chargers, solar panels or home automation systems from the start. That way, it’s much easier (and cheaper) to add them in later. We often suggest smart heating controls, lighting systems or security setups, not just for convenience, but because they improve how a home works day-to-day. A lot of our clients now control most of their home from their phone. One system we’ve worked on includes motion sensors under the beds that trigger a soft light to guide people to the bathroom at night. It’s those small, considered touches that make the difference and because we planned for it early on, there was no disruption when they wanted to add it in.
How can a design accommodate future expansion?
Even if someone isn’t ready to build an extension or loft conversion straight away, we can still design with that in mind. That might mean orienting the layout to leave room for a future extension, making sure the roof pitch and structure can support conversion works, or planning services like drainage so they don’t need to be moved later. We’ve worked on a lot of projects where we design the full vision for the house from the start, then break it down into phases the client can tackle over a number of years. That way, even if the budget or timeline doesn’t allow for everything right away, we’re always working toward the end goal. It saves time, cost and stress later and means every decision made early on still supports where the project is going.
We’re delighted to be featured in Build It magazine this month.
The June 2025 edition, features a small 'Inspiration' article on the stunning home of one of our clients in the rural village of Syerston, Nottinghamshire. Our clients approached us to assist with the adaption of an existing design proposal to convert a former Dutch barn into a beautiful family home with views of the surrounding landscape.
Accessibility was at the forefront of the owners’ requirements. They wanted a house that both respected the building’s historic form and fulfilled their need for improved circulation.
The innovative design works harmoniously within the established envelope of the barn. Ancillary areas, such as the utility, boot room and cloakroom, were re-orientated for more practical usage. A modern, open-plan living, dining and kitchen area incorporates carefully positioned glazing, framing the stunning vistas of the surrounding environment. Alongside the more private spaces on the upper floor, all the internal rooms offer level access.
Externally, the property’s facade echoes the style of traditional Dutch barns, through the use of wood cladding to the upper level and an elegant curved roof. Zinc was chosen for the lower portions of the build, adding a touch of contemporary design to the original aesthetic.
The two-toned exterior creates a wonderful contrast to the typical red brick and clay-tiled rooftops of neighbouring properties, cementing the home as a striking, stand-out feature within its agricultural setting.
Although beautiful, the garden’s topography varies considerably. Convenient ramps were sensitively integrated into the landscape to ensure unimpeded movement across the site, while also enhancing fluidity between the charming indoor and outdoor spaces.
At Design Haus, we love seeing our projects featured in prestigious home design magazines such as Build It. Thank you to our clients for sharing their beautiful home, to Matt Horan Photography and to Build It magazine for their fantastic work on this feature.
We are thrilled that we have been awarded the title ‘Best Bespoke Residential Architecture Practice 2025 - East Midlands’ in the 2025 Design & Build Awards, published by BUILD Magazine.
The BUILD Awards are devoted to identifying and honouring the very best in technical innovation, design, and services from all around the world in the construction and property sectors.
It's great to receive this recognition, as we specialise in creating bespoke spaces that reflect the unique needs and aspirations of each client. Through open communication and strong relationships with clients and consultants alike, we deliver exceptional buildings and spaces. Our focus is on crafting designs that are not only creative but also deeply connected to their surroundings.
Our process is consultative and begins with thorough discussions to uncover the core project requirements, which then form the basis of the design brief. By engaging with clients early in the design phase and understanding their vision, we ensure our solutions align with their goals and aspirations.
Understanding the complexities our clients face, we provide practical, tailored solutions to ensure a smooth and enjoyable project experience. Our bespoke approach means we work closely with our clients from initial concept to final build, ensuring every detail is crafted with care.
Our founder, James Brindley, was delighted to be interviewed for Build It Magazine’s recent feature on ‘How to achieve indoor-outdoor living spaces’.
In the June 2023 issue, James takes a look at how to create a stronger connection between your home and garden. The key topics that James addresses in the article are;
What does creating a connection between the interior and exterior mean, and what is the benefit?
How can you use glazed sliding doors to enhance the connection?
How can floor design enhance the effect?
How can you get creative with wall finishes to emphasise the indoor-outdoor feel?
Are there ways to bring the outdoors in when dealing with upper storeys?
If you’re a Build It Magazine subscriber you can read the full article. Or if you have any questions about how to improve your indoor-outdoor living space please get in touch with Design Haus Architecture.
