Gateway House featuring an Urban Front door  

UF: What was the brief for Gateway House? 
GT: With an eye for design and a tendency to be ahead of trends, our client came to us with ideas, which we implemented into plans for the house. Our client didn’t require lots of bedrooms: three were sufficient, but she did want lots of living space and the ability to have friends and family to visit. The finished property features stonework, iron balustrades, tiled spaces, pre-programmed mood lighting, and a smart control system. It’s a clever house but one that’s subtle and understated about its features.  

UF: Why did you choose an Urban Front door?  
GT: We searched for a statement door that would give visitors a feel for the inside identity of the house before entering. Homes often only reflect an individual's taste and style on the inside. We wanted a door and entranceway to provide some flair from the outside leading into the home. We visited Urban Front and the showroom showcased several doors that our client loved. We chose the Milano in oak with ebony oil, which contrasts with the stone facade of the property. 

UF: How is the house energy efficient?
GT: To maximise energy efficiency, we installed a PV solar system and underfloor heating that runs from an Air Source Heat Pump. There’s also an Anderson car charging point. This combination of renewables makes the house self-sufficient, relieving any requirement from the grid.   

UF: What about the house’s interior design?
GT: Each room has been carefully thought out and designed to work for each occupant or visitor. Our client has quite a masculine design taste and chose dark colours contrasting with light tactile fabrics. The house has a sleek and timeless quality.

UF: What was the biggest challenge you faced during the build?  
GT: Gateway House is on a difficult site because it’s built on the hillside of a valley. While that takes advantage of the natural topography, configuring a space that works from the two-storey frontage to the three-storey rear was challenging. The drainage system for the property was extremely complicated and involved piecing together several legal easements and drainage designs. 

UF: Please tell us about the outside of the property.  
GT: The design was tailored to maximise natural daylight and the stunning views across the Ecclesbourne Valley, whilst presenting a more formal and measured approach from the roadside. The landscaping was designed by Talbot Landscaping to provide low-maintenance but visually impressive flower beds – a wash of purples, whites, and blue.