Houzz Tours
My Houzz: A Broken-plan Layout Creates Space in a New-build Home
A plot of land on the Norfolk Broads was the perfect place to build this magical family home
When architects Patrick and Clare Michell discovered this piece of land on the Norfolk Broads, they knew immediately they’d found the perfect spot to build their dream holiday home. Facing out onto a private lagoon and ringed with trees, the area has a magical quality that called for a very special building. Fortunately, the couple were able to draw on their combined experience to design a brand-new home that slots into the landscape with elegance and style.
There was already a dilapidated bungalow on the site that was sinking into the water. “The planners were happy to see that go and were supportive of our designs for a contemporary approach to a replacement building,” Patrick says.
“Our neighbours were supportive, too, and I think they were happy to see someone taking care of the plot.”
“Our neighbours were supportive, too, and I think they were happy to see someone taking care of the plot.”
Because of the flood risk, the new house had to be raised above the waterline to allow floodwater to flow beneath the timber deck. To enable this, pile foundations and a steel frame had to be laid to form the basis of a structure on which the timber-framed house could be built, effectively lifting it safely out of the flood zone.
“The most difficult bit of the build was setting out the piling for the foundations,” Patrick says, “but as soon as we had them in the right place, it all progressed in a very straightforward way.”
Access to the plot is via a small bridge, so this was another key influencer when it came to the structure of the house itself. “We weren’t going to get any heavy lorries across the bridge, so the house had to be constructed from lightweight materials.”
“The most difficult bit of the build was setting out the piling for the foundations,” Patrick says, “but as soon as we had them in the right place, it all progressed in a very straightforward way.”
Access to the plot is via a small bridge, so this was another key influencer when it came to the structure of the house itself. “We weren’t going to get any heavy lorries across the bridge, so the house had to be constructed from lightweight materials.”
The couple designed the new house as three, low-rise bays beneath a series of pitched roofs. “We took inspiration from industrial boat sheds and used the typical roof pitches you get out in the Broads,” Patrick says.
On entering the house, visitors are greeted by a striking spiral staircase that leads up to the master bedroom. Also in this ‘bay’ are the other two bedrooms, the bathrooms and a study.
Spiral staircase, EeStairs.
On entering the house, visitors are greeted by a striking spiral staircase that leads up to the master bedroom. Also in this ‘bay’ are the other two bedrooms, the bathrooms and a study.
Spiral staircase, EeStairs.
A sliding door leads into the central bay, which houses the kitchen-diner. A third sliding door off this leads into the last bay, which houses the living area and snug/study.
“Having a good flow from one space to the next and seeing right the way through helps the house to feel bigger,” Patrick says, “and there’s no wasted corridor space.”
Barn and entrance doors, Acre Joinery. Barn door sliding gear, Krownlab. Joinery throughout, Windboats. Ironmongery, Allgood.
“Having a good flow from one space to the next and seeing right the way through helps the house to feel bigger,” Patrick says, “and there’s no wasted corridor space.”
Barn and entrance doors, Acre Joinery. Barn door sliding gear, Krownlab. Joinery throughout, Windboats. Ironmongery, Allgood.
Generous ceiling heights throughout also add to the feeling of space, and the large veranda leads the eye out, extending the sightline and almost reading as another room.
“The house feels remarkably spacious for the size of the floorplan,” Patrick says. “It’s 165 sq m, but it feels a lot bigger than that.”
Tom Dixon Copper Round pendants (in living room beyond), Houzz.
“The house feels remarkably spacious for the size of the floorplan,” Patrick says. “It’s 165 sq m, but it feels a lot bigger than that.”
Tom Dixon Copper Round pendants (in living room beyond), Houzz.
“We used built-in furniture to create little moments within the house,” says Patrick of the dining table and bench that tucks right against the wall in the middle bay. “The obvious thing to have had in this spot is a freestanding table and sliding doors, but by bringing the bench right up to the window, it creates a more useable and intimate space.” The built-in bench also has storage underneath it to keep the area clutter-free.
Normann Copenhagen Bell pendant lamps, Houzz. Sliding glass doors, Maxlight.
Normann Copenhagen Bell pendant lamps, Houzz. Sliding glass doors, Maxlight.
The third bay houses a living room with a fireplace and TV, and a study behind. “We kept the palette fairly neutral so the focus would be on the view,” says Patrick “and the interior layout is based on the ebb and flow of family life.”
“By dividing the house into bays, we’ve made a series of social spaces and then used architectural features to make a statement in each room,” Patrick explains. The first bay has the spiral staircase; the built-in bench is the key feature in the middle bay, and in this bay there’s a steel-clad divider that houses a wood-burning stove and disguises the TV.
Fireplace, Westfire.
Fireplace, Westfire.
A peaceful study is tucked behind the fireplace – the perfect cosy spot for reading or working.
Browse thousands of home office and library photos for inspiration
Browse thousands of home office and library photos for inspiration
The house is set on a private lagoon, so only a handful of neighbours have access. “We’re connected to the Broads and the river, but this lagoon is quite private,” Patrick says.
The house is clad in black-stained timber shingles, a traditional local material, and large glazed panels wrap around the space, drawing the views in and seamlessly connecting the interior with the lagoon beyond. At night, light spills out from the interior and casts beautiful reflections in the still water below.
The house is clad in black-stained timber shingles, a traditional local material, and large glazed panels wrap around the space, drawing the views in and seamlessly connecting the interior with the lagoon beyond. At night, light spills out from the interior and casts beautiful reflections in the still water below.
The peaceful natural setting dictated much of the design of the home, with large windows in every room angled to make the most of the incredible views across the water.
The veranda has a deep canopy on the south side, so it can be used both in winter and summer. “In the summer it keeps the interior space cool, and in winter it creates a nook sheltered from the wind; when the sun’s out, you can sit outside even on cool days,” Patrick says.
Decking, Gripdeck.
The veranda has a deep canopy on the south side, so it can be used both in winter and summer. “In the summer it keeps the interior space cool, and in winter it creates a nook sheltered from the wind; when the sun’s out, you can sit outside even on cool days,” Patrick says.
Decking, Gripdeck.
“I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it quite so much in the winter,” Patrick says, “but it’s such a great space all year round. The Broads are quieter once the summer tourist season is over and the wildlife really gets going; you often see otters in the winter months.”
The three bedrooms also make the most of the beautiful views. “The bedroom wing was quite tightly designed to enable us to allocate more space to the living rooms,” Patrick explains, but the rooms, while simply furnished, feel calm and restful.
On the ground floor, a double bedroom makes the most of the views thanks to floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that open straight onto the deck.
White oiled oak floorboards create unified but unobtrusive flooring throughout all of the living and sleeping spaces.
Walls throughout painted in Chalk Mark, Dulux.
On the ground floor, a double bedroom makes the most of the views thanks to floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that open straight onto the deck.
White oiled oak floorboards create unified but unobtrusive flooring throughout all of the living and sleeping spaces.
Walls throughout painted in Chalk Mark, Dulux.
Directly above this, the master bedroom is designed around a large, south-facing picture window, which looks down onto the veranda and out across the lagoon.
Reflections from the water below play across the ceiling, and the rest of the space is simply furnished to ensure the view is the focus.
Reflections from the water below play across the ceiling, and the rest of the space is simply furnished to ensure the view is the focus.
A simply designed bathroom leads off the master bedroom. Wall-mounted sanitaryware and stainless steel fittings keep the room feeling streamlined, while floor-to-ceiling tiles laid in an unusual vertical pattern provide interest.
Is this the hottest trend in bathrooms right now?
Is this the hottest trend in bathrooms right now?
In the third bedroom, which is on the ground floor, twin beds are snug and perfect for children to share. Floor-to-ceiling cupboards provide storage space where clothes, toys and clutter can be swept out of sight.
See thousands more bedroom design ideas
See thousands more bedroom design ideas
The ground floor bathroom is also simple and streamlined, with a slim picture window again making the most of the lagoon views. The green- grey limestone flooring in both bathrooms is hardwearing and practical.
Sanitaryware, Duravit, Catalano, Hansgrohe and Dornbracht.
Sanitaryware, Duravit, Catalano, Hansgrohe and Dornbracht.
The house had to be built 1.5m above the drive level to allow for flood risk, so Patrick had to carefully consider the design of the landscape around the building to ensure it didn’t look odd or out of place. “We designed in cascading terraces down to the water so the house didn’t feel too obviously raised up,” he says. This photo shows the front of the house, with steps leading up to the front door.
Planting design, Thomas Hoblyn Landscape and Garden Design.
Planting design, Thomas Hoblyn Landscape and Garden Design.
This floorplan shows the layout of the house, access to which is via a bridge, shown at the top.
This house is available to rent as a holiday home.
Tell us…
What do you think of this lakeside home? Let us know in the Comments section.
This house is available to rent as a holiday home.
Tell us…
What do you think of this lakeside home? Let us know in the Comments section.
Who lives here Patrick and Claire Michell and their two children, aged 3 and 5
Location Wroxham, Norfolk
Property A new-build home
Size Three bedrooms, two bathrooms (165 sq m)
Architect Patrick Michell of Platform 5 Architects
Main contractor Wroxham Builders
Photos by Alan Williams Photography
“We were searching for somewhere within a couple of hours’ drive of London,” Patrick says, “and we were looking for a plot with an amazing location.” As soon as the couple saw this little piece of the Norfolk Broads, they knew they’d found the perfect spot. “We could instantly see the kind of lifestyle this place could provide,” Patrick adds.