From Sketch to Structure: The Story Behind project 1039 ( A New Build House in West London)
Nestled along the tranquil stretch of the River Thames in Barnes, London, Project 1039 is a single-storey eco-home that tells a story of vision, persistence, and refined design. Delivered by VORBILD Architecture, this bespoke residence replaced an underused garage plot with a sustainable home that now quietly integrates into its riverside surroundings — but the journey from sketch to structure was anything but simple. The process took many years, and despite a long planning battle, objections from neighbours and being constructed partially during COVID-19, it was built and sold as planned.
From Garages to Green Living
Before the first foundations were laid, the site was home to eight single-storey garages — utilitarian structures offering little value to the area. I remember taking the initial measurements and pictures – it was a very calm place, almost forgotten. Imagine an old gate around the corner at the back of numerous terraced houses. Not very noticeable at all, but when you stepped through this gate, you would feel like you had left the familiar streets of Barnes Bridge and entered a forgotten area. It was quiet, very quiet, and its overall size was surprisingly big. Our developer Client and I saw this as a great opportunity for change. The new scheme we devised sought to transform this neglected patch into a high-quality dwelling that respected both its environment and neighbourhood character, while greatly enhancing its use and purpose. Originally, the idea was to plan for two detached properties, but we quickly settled on one larger house.
A Complex Path Through Planning
Due to the site’s location just three metres from the riverbank and within a highly scrutinised conservation context, the planning process was lengthy and fraught with challenges. We faced lots of resistance, though, and since the planning process was also difficult and time-consuming, it took over two years to get the permission. This was heightened by many objections received from residents who were worried about how this area might affect them once the planned property was built. No one likes change, we understood this, so what followed was a lengthy process of patiently responding to these objections and a minor redesign with planning. We did anticipate many discussions during the party wall agreements as well, even though this newly built house was sufficiently away from existing properties, it was still mostly within 3m of their boundaries. A further planning application with a small redesign allowed us to extend this newly built house a bit more, and then it was time to build!
Building During Lockdown
Construction took place during the COVID-19 pandemic — a time of global uncertainty and local stillness. One of the most technically challenging aspects was the need for piling, made necessary by the site’s proximity to the river. These works were essential to safeguard the house from subsidence and water ingress, but, unfortunately, were also quite noisy. Undertaken during the lockdowns, this disruption was particularly noticeable in an otherwise quiet moment for the area. There were times when neighbours complained to the authorities, and we had to meet officers on site to explain what we were doing and clarify that there was sadly no other way to do what we had been permitted. It was a difficult time if you couldn’t leave your house, we all understood this. Luckily, the noisy work ceased, and what followed was the usual, much less difficult and loud period of regular construction noise.
Designed to Let the Light In
Inside, the design focuses on natural light and open flow. Expansive glazing and carefully considered rooflights flood the interior with daylight throughout the day, enhancing well-being and reducing reliance on artificial lighting. Living spaces are open yet warm, framed by natural materials and clean architectural lines. There’s a palpable sense of calm, with the changing light echoing the river’s rhythm just metres away.
Sustainability in Action
At the heart of Project 1039 is a deep commitment to sustainable living, not as a surface-level gesture, but as a fully integrated principle that shaped the building from the ground up. From the earliest concept stages to the final material selections, every decision was made with environmental performance and long-term efficiency in mind.
The structure itself is newly built and designed to meet high standards of energy efficiency and durability. With the site being just 3 metres from the River Thames, the foundation required special consideration. A piled foundation system was necessary to ensure the building’s long-term stability, given the soft and shifting river-adjacent ground. While this added to the construction cost, it was a critical step in ensuring that the home could endure without compromising structural integrity or environmental goals.
The external walls are highly insulated using modern materials that achieve excellent thermal performance, well beyond current minimum building regulations. These high-performance walls, combined with airtight construction detailing, help prevent heat loss and significantly reduce the demand for heating in colder months. Equally, in warmer months, this thermal envelope helps regulate internal temperatures and improves comfort levels without relying heavily on mechanical cooling.
One of the most prominent and visible sustainable features is the extensive green roof. Aside from its aesthetic contribution — helping the home blend into its leafy surroundings — the green roof plays an important functional role. It supports biodiversity, assists with rainwater absorption and slows runoff, provides extra insulation, and helps reduce the urban heat island effect. The planting was selected to thrive with minimal maintenance and adds a lush, soft layer to the home’s profile when viewed from neighbouring upper levels.
Heating and hot water are provided via Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs), which draw warmth from the ambient air and convert it into usable energy. These systems are particularly well-suited to highly insulated homes like Project 1039. ASHPs significantly reduce the home’s reliance on fossil fuels, making the house more resilient to energy price fluctuations and reducing its carbon footprint. The heat pump installation was carefully integrated into the design to avoid visual disruption and acoustic impact, ensuring both form and function were preserved.
Glazing was also a key component in the home’s sustainable strategy. High-specification windows with excellent U-values reduce heat transfer, while also allowing abundant natural light to enter the home. This reduces reliance on artificial lighting and heating, and improves wellbeing by connecting occupants to natural daylight and outdoor views.
Passive design strategies were also carefully considered: window placement and shading were optimised for solar gain in winter and shading in summer. Cross ventilation was factored into the plan layout, reducing the need for air conditioning and allowing fresh air to circulate naturally throughout the space.
Together, these features don’t just reduce operational energy use — they create a healthier, more comfortable environment for the occupants. Project 1039 isn’t simply “low-energy” in name; it embodies a holistic approach to sustainable architecture, combining intelligent design, renewable technology, and a strong respect for its riverside setting.
A Home That Quietly Belongs
The completed home feels modest in scale yet rich in character. From the outside, its low profile and natural materials allow it to settle comfortably into its riverside setting. But it’s inside where the design truly comes to life.
The interiors are calm, warm, and exceptionally light-filled. Large glazed doors and multiple rooflights flood the spaces with daylight, creating a gentle rhythm of natural light that shifts throughout the day. The open-plan living area flows seamlessly between kitchen, dining, and lounge zones, without feeling overly vast or impersonal — a real balance between openness and intimacy.
A soft, neutral palette enhances the atmosphere: warm-toned timber flooring, white or off-white walls, and pale cabinetry form a background that lets the changing daylight take centre stage. Built-in joinery throughout adds a sense of craft and practicality without cluttering the spaces. Everything has been designed to feel considered but never overdone.
The bedrooms are peaceful and inviting, with large windows framing views of the garden and river. Storage is cleverly integrated to keep the rooms feeling clear and breathable. The bathrooms echo the same tone of quiet sophistication, with natural finishes, clean lines, and well-planned lighting.
It’s a home where every square metre is purposeful and where the architectural restraint enhances, rather than limits, comfort and liveability. Despite the technical challenges and the long journey through planning and construction — including works carried out during the peak of the Covid lockdown — the result is a house that feels quietly confident. It offers its occupants a life close to nature, connected to light, space, and sustainability.
Interestingly, just on the opposite of this site lies another unused site – which became our project 1285, but this is another story.