Development Appraisal, Whitecliff

Project Type: New build

RIBA Project Stages: 0-2

Budget: £1m

Our client approached us to carry out a feasibility study to see whether it would be possible to achieve more than one dwelling on their plot. The tapering shape of the site and elevated views over Poole Harbour encouraged a contemporary design response that would exploit these attributes.

Our proposition was based on providing two, three storey dwellings with tapering footprints that made efficient use of the plot shape. We wanted to keep the front of each house reasonably private and achieved this by locating most of the habitable accommodation to the rear and restricting the extent of glazing used on the front elevations. In contrast, extensive glazing was used on the rear of the houses to take advantage of the stunning views on offer over Poole Harbour and the Purbecks.

Given that this was intended as a development, our design was based on having commonality between both properties, to help offer economies of scale and with a view to making the scheme more cost efficient for the client.

The client was delighted with our proposals and are currently reviewing their options for taking the site forward as a development.