A L T E R S T U D I O A R C H I T E C T S
WE DESIGN HOMES THAT ARE BEAUTIFUL, EFFICIENT, AND BUILT TO LAST — ALWAYS WITH A DEEP RESPECT FOR COMFORT, PEOPLE, AND EVERYDAY LIFE.
Every project begins with listening — understanding what matters to our clients, the character of the site, and the unique story the building can tell.
We use sketches, physical models and atmospheric visualisations to bring ideas to life and to bring clarity and confidence to decision-making.
This approach allows our clients and collaborators to understand the details that matter by imagining living within the spaces — the light, the texture, the way a space might feel at different times of day — creating an engaging and exciting process where we shape how you will live.
We work alongside a carefully selected team of collaborators throughout the process —each bringing deep knowledge in their field. This collective approach allows us to shape projects that are both ambitious and grounded and has helped our clients gain planning approval on a wide range of sensitive sites — such as The Green Belt, conservation areas, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and tight urban sites.
St. Andrews Cottage is a Grade II listed home, originally built as a 17th-century farmhouse. Its exposed timber frame, plaster infill walls, stone flagged roof and windows are all original features. Over the centuries it has been subjected to a series of extensions, most notably an addition of 1873 that is finished in a stippled white plaster. Combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary detailing, the new annex employs black-oxide Welsh larch cladding, reclaimed stone flags, and slender black aluminium glazing. Inside, the layout makes efficient use of a limited footprint. The kitchen, bathroom, and staircase are carefully grouped beneath the mezzanine, allowing for a generous double-height sitting area that opens up to the landscape beyond. The ceiling height beneath the mezzanine matches that of the historic rooms maintaining a feeling of compression that provides a dramatic foil to the vaulted double height space.
Brow House takes inspiration from traditional local farmhouses in Cheshire, drawing on their robust materials, solid detailing, and timeless character. Rooted in its context, the design responds to neighbouring properties while reinterpreting familiar forms and material cues. Its layout is carefully shaped by landscaped external spaces, framing views and maximising natural light throughout the day. Set on a secluded site, the design considers movement and experience, creating a deliberate journey: from leaving the road, approaching the courtyard down the driveway, entering the home, and gradually revealing expansive countryside views as you move through the interior. The house will be constructed using an off-site timber frame, ensuring precision and sustainability, with super-insulated walls for energy efficiency. Handmade terracotta roof tiles, reclaimed bricks finished with a soft lime slurry wash, and a harmonious palette of natural materials give the building a tactile quality and a strong connection to place, both inside and out.
Lorm House is a detached 1960s property in South Manchester, set on a street of late 19th and early 20th-century terraced and semi-detached homes. The building’s period, form, massing, materials, and detailing all set it apart from its neighbours. Through the introduction of new materials, forms, and a contemporary design language, the remodelling creates a home that feels distinct yet still respectful of its context and rooted in a sense of permanence. The proposal introduces a lime-washed brick façade, elevating the appearance of the original brickwork at minimal cost while providing a timeless, refined finish. A two-storey side extension, clad in natural larch, is stepped back at first floor to reduce its visual impact, while carefully placed shadow gaps punctuate the elevations and break up the overall massing. Internally, the layout has been completely reimagined to create stronger connections with the surrounding external spaces. A previously unusable first floor has been unlocked, introducing an additional bedroom, improved circulation, and a generous social and working space on the large first-floor landing.
