Swing Step

A reimagined family home, Swing Step House balances practicality and playfulness. The original layout was reconfigured to create a more social, light-filled space, with a carefully extended ground floor that connects seamlessly to the garden.

External spaces were designed as outdoor rooms, each capturing sunlight at different times of the day. A brick bench at the front porch extension makes the most of the midday sun, while at the rear, the garden is divided into two zones: a lower dining space and an upper play area, linked by salvaged Dolphins Barn brick steps.

The rear extension is defined by a mono-pitch roof resting on black brick walls, referencing the original house while clearly distinguishing the new. Inside, a central living and play space features a reflective light-blue ceiling and cork flooring, leading to the sunken kitchen-dining area. A black brick hearth—doubling as a perch for the family dog—echoes the external bench.

A sheltered courtyard brings additional light into the kitchen and frames views through to the garden. The angled roof and sunken design enhance the sense of height, while a built-in dining nook fosters interaction. A child’s swing suspended between the old and new sections playfully marks the transition between past and present.