features include a steeply pitched roof, oak windows which continue ‘a rhythm of cascading gables’ when looking down the street. The rear of the building is more purposeful and modern, and includes full-height glazing encapsulating beautiful views.


Somewhat surprising there are other houses,


properties and even a new development the practice is working on too, all which deliver design sensitivity to its planning restricted surroundings. But far from objection, the local parish and planners are embracing the practice’s work within this community with Soane now even re-writing the local plan and design guide. Says Soane: ‘We’ve had several schemes


at different scales – one of which is 35 houses, another 10, and one of five – but in very beautiful rural settings, and we’re beginning to test ideas like let’s not have tarmac roads, because that’s not what you get in the country. There’s a whole set of legislation that makes it harder for you, but they are surmountable. It’s including that kind of detail [and] working with


landscape architects and gardeners. We always do that now on our schemes [as it’s] not just about prettifying, but also ensuring biodiversity [when responding to a climate crisis].’ Project Orange’s Laversham HQ is Hidden


House, a former artist’s studio which Soane and Ash bought from a local builder who had previously extended the building. ‘To me it looked like an NHS drop-in centre,’ recalls Soane. ‘Part of its transformation was to make it with the ambience we wanted and create a work environment that felt homely and [do it] in an ecological way.’


Soane describes the building as having


‘good bones’, such as insulated and underfloor heating, and talks about the importance of repair, rather than rebuilding. ‘We’ve tried and learnt a lot about how we can build better or less [if you can’t repair]. If we are building new, what do we do how can we make it? But how do we make it have longevity and there’s a currency to this, obviously, and an urgency. But it’s not as easy as just saying “let’s build green”. You must


LEFT AND ABOVE: PAUL DIXON OPPOSITE PAGE: ALEX SARGINSON


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