Replacement dwelling · Whepstead, SuffolkContemporary replacement dwelling in Whepstead.

The architectural design reimagines the site of the former bungalow as a contemporary family home, providing a fresh approach to residential living within the established village setting.

The design balances the generous proportions and openness of modern architecture with the need to respond thoughtfully to the character of Whepstead’s conservation village.

Rather than simply recreating the building it replaces, the new home establishes its own contemporary identity while remaining considerate of its surroundings.

The internal layout has been designed around the different ways a family uses its home throughout the day.

Generous open-plan living spaces create a welcoming setting for everyday family life, entertaining and spending time together, with a close relationship to the garden.

Alongside these shared areas, more intimate snug spaces provide quieter places to relax, offering a balance between open family living and personal retreat.

Four generously proportioned bedrooms complete the accommodation, creating a flexible home designed to support the changing needs of family life.

A strong connection between the interior and the garden was central to the design brief.

The principal open-plan living spaces are arranged to make the most of the outdoor setting, creating a natural relationship between family life inside the home and the garden beyond.

This garden-focused approach helps create a sense of openness and connection, allowing the outdoor spaces to become an extension of everyday living.

The home was constructed using structural insulated panels (SIPs), a modern building system that combines structural strength with high levels of insulation.

The use of SIPs supports a highly insulated building envelope and can help achieve excellent airtightness when correctly detailed and installed, reducing unwanted heat loss and supporting comfortable internal conditions.

By incorporating this construction approach into the design, the project brings together contemporary residential architecture and a focus on thermal efficiency, creating a home designed for comfort and long-term performance.

Design visuals let the clients see their new home long before work began, helping them make decisions about its form, materials and glazing with confidence.

Set side by side, they show how the design carried through to the finished house, from the twin glazed gables and balconies to the way the house opens onto the garden.

Replacing the original bungalow, this bespoke contemporary family home offers a fresh approach to modern living within the conservation village of Whepstead.

The combination of generous open-plan spaces, private snugs, four spacious bedrooms and a close connection to the garden creates a home designed around the practical needs of family life.

With SIPs construction supporting the building’s thermal performance, the project demonstrates how contemporary design and modern construction methods can work together to create a comfortable, thoughtfully considered replacement dwelling.