The project has involved the thorough overhaul and refurbishment of a Grade II Listed, modernist house from 1938, by architects Dyson and Hebeler. Kingswillow house was published in the architectural press at the time of its construction, but after decades of neglect, was cold, damp and draughty. The large flat roof leaked and the original Crittall windows were so rusted that they would no longer close. Reinforced concrete canopies and lintels, ahead of their time when constructed, were rusting and breaking apart and the brickwork was spalling. The house was completely uninsulated, and eerily cold. The clients approached Graham Handley Architects to manage the complete refurbishment of the house, with a primary goal of making it dry and warm, but with an underlying desire to introduce renewables and upgrade the fabric where possible. The client’s brief was to adapt the house to accommodate modern family living while improving its environmental performance, rather than making any sweeping changes that would change the character of the house they fell in love with. While the works to save the house have been extensive, as they needed to be, GHA worked closely with the clients and the Conservation Officer, to be respectful to the house and its character. The project has been shortlisted for an RIBA East 2020 Award.