North Oxford

HEO were asked to prepare a proposal for the development of the large garden in North Oxford for a family member who wished to downsize.

This simple little one bed house is designed around a courtyard garden through which you enter. It has a living room/ kitchen wing to the rear and a bedroom and bathroom wing to the front. It is to be constructed from simple robust materials with very high thermal performance negating the need for heating apart from in the coldest months of the year. Shading and orientation keep the house cool in the summer and the courtyard is to be planted to provide a delightful amenity space whilst giving complete privacy from the existing house and the adjoining neighbours. Unfortunately, back-land developments of this type, though a somewhat untapped resource, are not considered favourably by Oxford City Council and the project has been stalled as a result.