Pinchin Architects were approached to design and deliver a modern house with a refined material palette located in a prized area of Berkhamsted, off Shooters Way Lane. The Lime Trees project consisted of a newbuild one-off house to be built on land which formed part of the garden to an existing house. We conducted several feasibility studies on the site before concluding that it would be possible for the land to support an additional dwelling while adhering to the local planning policies of Dacorum Council. During the initial analysis, we provided several different options for the client to consider. In the end, they decided to choose to retain the existing house and construct a contemporary bespoke home by its side. Due to areas of shading by the large lime trees which sit upon the southern boundary, the proposed new dwelling was positioned to benefit from the eastern and western light. The main living spaces at the rear would benefit from the afternoon and evening sun. This orientation ensured that overlooking issues were also avoided, whilst respecting both the tree protection areas and the existing dwelling to the north. The house was designed with an open-plan ground floor layout, creating views through the property to wherever the sun is positioned. Having few internal walls also meant the whole ground floor was flooded with sunlight. On the first floor, the glazed gable to the west provides maximum light into the master bedroom, while on the eastern gable we designed a large rectangular feature window to the study and a set of double doors with a full-height section of apex glazing to serve the guest bedroom. At ground floor level, a large hallway leads from the front door all the way through the property, linking the spaces and also providing a view through to the rear garden spaces. An open staircase leads up to the first floor, which is lit from 180 degrees due to the glazed strip. This family home is the embodiment of thoughtful design. Not only was the impact on neighbouring properties considered from the outset, but we were able to achieve a design which met the client’s needs and exceeded their expectations.