Otia Tuta

Category: Residential/ Development/ Commercial/ New Build / Listed Building
Location: Sevenoaks, Kent
Budget or size: 2 new build, 6 bedroom houses
Contractors & Consultants: Portfolio Homes

Brief

Otia Tuta, a Grade II Listed building situated on a prestigious private road in the heart of Sevenoaks, represents an exceptionally sensitive site for development. Our client acquired the property with pre-approved planning permission for two houses in the front garden. However, the existing design failed to optimise the site’s potential and did not harmonise with the surrounding Arts & Crafts architecture.

Response

The client required a redesign of the approved scheme to achieve a minimum dwelling size of 4,000 square feet, crucial for ensuring the financial viability of the development. Following a thorough feasibility study and a favourable pre-application review, we confirmed the project’s feasibility.

In the detailed design phase, we drew inspiration from the host dwelling’s intricate detailing and refined material palette. The new design features two residences, each spread across three floors, encompassing six bedrooms, expansive open-plan living areas, and distinct spaces for sitting, studying, and dining, all meticulously crafted to complement the Arts & Crafts heritage of the site.