This proposal is for a distinctive new villa at ‘Pennyfarthing’ in Esher Park Avenue, Esher, Surrey, comprising ten high specification apartments in the existing mature landscape, suiting the quality, mass and height of the other houses in the area. The proposals replace an existing low lying house dating from the 1960s which has little architectural merit or presence.

It was felt that the Regency country house would be an appropriate model for this site, taking buildings by  Sir John Soane and Sir John Nash as precedents. These buildings display double height porticos, dividing the buildings into bays, with Greek Ionic columns, and shallow pitched roofs with tight eaves. Materials such as stone, render and brick are commonly used. There are also a number of examples of noteworthy buildings in Esher itself that use this language in similar materials, setting a precedent for this style locally.

The building mass is broken up into six pavilions with inset private balconies between them ensuring that the building retains a very human scale. The proposed villa is a serious and literate Classical design of a type consistent with the best examples in the area. The use of pavilions housing the primary living spaces and rustication to the basement (service area) expresses the functions and creates a legible elevation.

The buildings and walls will be constructed in a plain buff stock brick with stone dressings, as appropriate to the area. Columns will be cast stone. The roofs will be in natural slate with copper on the lower pitches. The sash windows are large to allow maximum light into the building, with traditional Georgian panes. Windows and doors will be white painted timber. Balustrading and rainwater goods will be painted metal.

Much of the mature planting is retained, particularly to the sides and rear of the property, where the large existing conifers give such excellent screening preventing any overlooking. A new articulated wall on the front boundary will replace the existing cracking wall, but will maintain a similar feel to the existing, and the same privacy on the site from the road. The retention of boundary trees at a distance from the building will create a secluded spacious development. The gardens are to be carefully landscaped.