Harper Lane, Radlett

Architectural and planning services were provided for the comprehensive redevelopment of a substantial private plot, delivering a large family home with extensive below-ground accommodation and integrated leisure facilities.

The design replaces an existing dwelling and fragmented outbuildings with a single, coherent architectural form, consolidating development while significantly enhancing spatial quality and functionality across the site. A formal architectural language was adopted above ground, with balanced proportions and traditional detailing, ensuring the scale of the house sits comfortably within its landscape setting.

A key feature of the project is the extensive basement level, which forms a major component of the overall accommodation. Carefully integrated beneath the footprint of the house and surrounding landscape, the basement provides a full leisure suite including a swimming pool, gymnasium, spa facilities and ancillary accommodation, alongside plant and servicing areas.

The basement design required close coordination of structure, drainage, waterproofing strategy, plant layouts and access, as well as careful consideration of construction sequencing and long-term performance. Particular emphasis was placed on ensuring the below-ground accommodation reads as a natural extension of the house, rather than an add-on, with clear vertical connections and controlled daylight penetration where appropriate.

Above ground, the internal layout supports modern family living across multiple levels, with clear separation between public, private and leisure spaces. The arrangement allows the scale of the accommodation to be absorbed comfortably within the site, while retaining generous landscaped areas and a strong relationship between house and garden.

The completed scheme demonstrates a disciplined approach to large-scale private residential design, combining architectural clarity with the technical delivery of complex basement and leisure structures.

Project status: Under construction, with completion anticipated in 2027.