ARCH ITECT’ VIEW
Designing for privacy &security
Director of AR Design Studio Andy Ramus shares his expert design tips for building your bespoke home in busy or overlooked areas
What are some of the initial considerations when designing a property in an overlooked area?
The first thing we do as a design team is visit your plot and spend a couple of hours conducting a site analysis to identify the opportunities and constraints of the land and its surroundings. This might include identifying a particularly good view or a sunny spot we want to make the most of in the design. Limitations may include a steep slope, or other properties and public areas in especially close proximity.
Once both the advantages and disadvantages of the area have been explored, we can begin developing a successful and effective design that takes these into account.
The size and form of your home must respond to the unique requirements of your site. If you have an issue with overlooking, for example, we would analyse the precise angles to establish who can see what and from where. Particular spaces in your house demand more privacy and security and so it’s important to interpret your plot’s constraints in relation to the planned structure. Every homeowner wants to prevent a crossover between the public domain on their doorstep and their private property – establishing this divide and tailoring solutions to your plot and preferences is key to a successful project. A detailed site analysis is the best starting point for balancing privacy and security with your must-have design features.