Meet the architects: Blenheim Grove

At Unboxed Homes, we’re passionate about custom build because it gives home owners the opportunity to design and fit out their home to suit their needs instead of having to settle for a home that someone else has designed and chosen for them.

We’re also proud to work with some great architects in designing our shell homes, so that the structure of the home will be just as beautiful and functional as you can make the inside.

Today, we’re featuring local architects Poulsom Middlehurst, who designed Blenheim Grove and actually approached us about developing the site in Peckham. Founded by Amy Poulsom and Jane Middlehurst in 2011, their projects have been nominated for the Don’t Move, Improve Awards multiple times, as well as featured in the press.

Here’s a short interview below with Jane Middlehurst regarding the practice as well as their inspiration for Blenheim Grove.

How did you end up starting an architectural practice together?

Amy and I originally met and became friends at university during our architectural studies. We both had aspirations to start a practice and after a few years in the industry gaining experience we decided to take the leap. That was many years ago now we’re happy to say we’re still as firm friends as when we started out!

What is your design philosophy?

We love the relationships we make with our clients, hearing about their ambitions and helping them to realise them. Our philosophy has always been that good design should be available for everyone. Early on in our practice we made a commitment to work with all types of budgets to help people create great spaces in which to live.

What was your inspiration for Blenheim Grove?

The site historically housed 5 properties and we wanted to retain the rhythm of the street and create a development that still felt like individual homes.

The site is an interesting tapered shape which meant that we could design different sized units to suit different needs (starter home size to growing family) and each utilises a split level plan. This creates incredible dynamic internal spaces and allowed the insertion of terraces to the upper floors which then interact with Peckham Rye Station and the trains that sit beyond the site, providing both a sense of shelter and privacy to the outdoor spaces.

What do you think sets Blenheim Grove apart?

As a custom build development the houses are being sold with the opportunity to finish the fit out to the buyers own specification.

This flexibility became fundamental to the design process with several possible layouts being incorporated for each home. Giving the opportunity for people to create a home that is personal to them is an exciting prospect, and at a time where we are conscious of avoiding waste it makes sense to give people an opportunity to make their homes their own from the outset.

See a selection of projects from Poulsom Middlehurst below, or click here