Respecting its Victorian surroundings, Frame House seeks to integrate energy-efficiency and craftsmanship
Studio AVC has completed Frame House, a new home within a predominantly Victorian conservation area.
The design respects the heritage of the neighbourhood, incorporating materials and architectural details that reference nearby Victorian architecture.
Key features include angled brick soffits and recessed glazing inspired by local decorative eaves brackets, along with dog-tooth brickwork that echoes the intricate patterns found on surrounding buildings. The front façade’s geometry also aligns with the canted bay windows characteristic of nearby homes.
Ayca Vural-Cutts, founding director of Studio AVC, said: “Frame House embodies an innovative architectural approach that celebrates light, views, and openness while balancing privacy within a contemporary urban setting. At its core, the design is distinguished by an angled façade that both frames and directs the interior’s connection to the outside world, enhancing natural light and creating dynamic sightlines.”
Inside, the layout maximises light and space, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a central open-plan kitchen and dining area. Large sliding doors open to a terraced garden, integrating the indoor and outdoor spaces.
Bedrooms on the upper floors are framed by Juliette balconies, providing views of the surrounding landscape. Reflective solar-control glass on the front façade enhances privacy while maintaining a visual connection to the street.
Constructed from handmade bricks and sustainable materials, Frame House emphasises craftsmanship and energy efficiency. Insulated building fabric, a new heating system, and a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system reduce energy consumption, while a biodiverse roof supports local ecology.
According to the designers, the building’s environmental performance marks a significant improvement over previous structures on the site, with solar studies guiding the integration of rooflights and shading to prevent overheating.
Project data
Start on site: August 2023
Completion date: October 2024
Gross internal floor area: 190 m²
Gross (internal + external) floor area: 240 m²
Architectural team: Studio AVC
Structural engineer: Anderson Consulting Engineers
Principal designer: Studio AVC
Approved building inspector: Stroma Building Control
Main contractor: Onebuild Group Ltd
Photographs courtesy of Studio AVC
Suppliers
Facade: Vande Moortel (brickwork)
Sliding door systems: Minima
All furniture and lighting: SCP Contracts
Floors: The Natural Wood Floor Company and Lazenby for polished concrete
Kitchen: The Wood Works
MVHR design: Green Building Store
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