Braye House

"It is not everyone that one gets the opportunity to turn a purchased house into a forever home and having the right partner makes all the difference. Our experience with JMA has been nothing short of exceptional."

■ Client

↣ Braye House

■ Type

■ Location

↣ Sutton Valence, Kent

Julian McIntosh Architects (JMA) were appointed to collaborate closely with a family of four residing in the secluded countryside village of Sutton Valence in Kent. The family's detached, five-bedroom residence is situated within beautifully landscaped gardens. As busy working parents with international commitments, they require a contemporary design that caters to their needs and lifestyle. Their primary goal is to improve the ground floor layout, enhance the flow of spaces, and increase the amount of natural light, in order to establish a stronger connection between the house, garden, and the surrounding landscape.

The home serves as a property in which the family were able to ‘put down roots’ after a life of international travel, and the client aims to transform the property into a contemporary family dwelling that maximises functionality and facilitates a conducive environment for family living. One of the key areas of our focus is creating a contemporary, light-filled kitchen and dining room, which the client envisions as a central gathering area, allowing the family members to connect effortlessly. Additionally, a pantry and utility area will provide efficient organisation space. Moreover, the ground floor also requires additional accommodation to meet their specific requests, including a living room and snug space, as well as an office area to support their professional needs. Their desire is for the home to serve as a hub for entertaining and family life, enabling activities like movie-watching and reading books.

This project, currently in the design phase, will create a light-filled, ambient space which simultaneously addresses the family’s practical needs. Elements such as an outdoor entertainment area, cosy seating, and versatile spaces will be integrated to facilitate enjoyable moments and strengthen family bonds within the home.