CASE STUDY
GREGORY PHILLIPS ARCHITECTS COMPLETES CONTEMPORARY NEW- BUILD HOME IN HERTFORDSHIRE
Gregory Phillips Architects has completed a 450 sq m contemporary family home in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. Set well back from the road within a landscaped plot, the twostorey residence combines architectural clarity, natural materials and understated elegance with a strong connection to its surroundings.
The exterior uses a restrained palette of brick and dark timber, creating a contemporary yet contextually grounded character. Clean horizontal lines and carefully proportioned volumes define the composition, while dark timber elements bring contrast and warmth to the solidity of the brickwork. Soft landscaping partially screens the house from the street, reinforcing the sense of seclusion and creating a gradual sense of arrival. At the heart of the home is a dramatic doubleheight entrance hall. This central volume organises the internal layout, brings natural light deep into the plan and establishes a strong visual connection between the two levels.
From the entrance hall, the ground floor opens into a sequence of generous living spaces facing the garden. Extensive areas of glazing frame views of the landscape, maximise the use of southern light and create a seamless relationship between the interior and exterior. The upper floor accommodates the principal bedrooms, arranged to balance privacy with carefully framed views while continuing the calm, cohesive material language established throughout the house.
Sustainability was a central consideration in the design. A green roof helps integrate the building into its landscaped setting while supporting biodiversity, reducing rainwater runoff and improving thermal performance. Discreetly integrated solar panels provide on-site energy generation to power an air-source heat pump. High levels of insulation
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