Replacing a former single-storey dwelling which was in a poor state of repair, the two new houses are mirror images of each other.Each house is laid out over three levels. On the ground floor, the open-plan kitchen/dining/living spaces at the rear overlook private rear gardens, with a stepped faade incorporating a feature window seat and brick canopy.Four bedrooms are accommodated on the upper two floors, alongside a workspace/office on the top floor.AdvertisementArchitects viewWe were approached by the client to rethink a previous planning consent on the site and provide a more creative and contemporary solution that better suited the familys needs and maximised the sites potential. Our proposal was to demolish the existing, out-dated single storey building and replace this with two carefully considered replacement dwellings more suited to the scale of the plot and the typology of the neighbouring properties. Working closely with the client, who intended to live in one of the properties, the project provided us with the opportunity to consider how a typical 1930s Mancunian semi-detached house type could be adapted and re-worked to suit modern-day family living.It was important for us to find a solution that would help stitch together the existing street elevation and provide an engaging new building for the infill site. The proposal aims to improve the setting with regards to design, detail and quality and offers a modern alternative to the pastiche or bland family houses so often seen on larger developments. The internals layouts provide well-proportioned accommodation with high levels of natural light that open out to the garden at the rear. It was the intention to create inspiring and comforting spaces throughout the proposal.The architectural response to the site takes reference from the surrounding vernacular. The buff brick modelling to the elevations reflects the form and character of neighbouring houses, where a variety of window sizes, bay windows, dormers, recessed elements and single storey extensions can be found. This contemporary interpretation of the local vernacular helps to ground the scheme into the site while providing a distinct identity of its own and an unashamedly modern addition to the streetscape.Full credit goes to our wonderful client for project managing the development on site and at times single-handedly building out the scheme. We are delighted to see the family now enjoying their new home and the two houses positively contributing the streetscape.Simon Jewell, co-founder and director, Artform ArchitectsClients viewWe purchased the site with a view to creating two new houses; a bespoke family home for ourselves and a second property we could rent out or sell to generate extra revenue. While the site already had consent for a pair of semis, we wanted to create something more imaginative and with its own identity. Having seen Artforms work previously, we appointed them with a brief to design a home that met the practical needs of family life while giving us something with a contemporary edge that had its own character while still respecting the nature of the street.We soon established a good working relationship with the Artform team and the design process was both creative and enjoyable, allowing us to always feel fully involved in how the project developed. The end-result is a pair of houses that we are incredibly proud of, especially given the amount of time and effort we put in during construction. The interior spaces are filled with light and provide a series of framed views to the outside. It has given us exactly we we hoped for as a family, so much so that we now plan to have our parents move in next door rather than rent or sell.Private client Source:Artform ArchitectsProject dataLocation Stretford, ManchesterStart on site May 2022CompletionJuly 24Gross internal floor area 358m2Gross (internal + external) floor area 537m2Form of contractConstruction managementConstruction cost 500,000Construction cost per m2 1,397Architect Artform ArchitectsClient PrivateStructural engineer DYSEProject manager ClientPrincipal designer Artform ArchitectsCDM co-ordinator Artform ArchitectsApproved building inspector Approved InspectorsMain contractor N/ACAD software used Revit