The Lawlor House is a new private house on a steeply sloping site within a Conservation Area. Formerly an orchard, the site is currently a vacant plot bounded on three sides by existing gardens, with a wooded public park on the western boundary.

The dwelling is a contemporary interpretation of the ‘Grand Villa’ with sliding panels of buff sandstone, render and glass contained within a folding precast concrete band. To avoid ‘overlooking’, accommodation is arranged around private courtyard gardens that terrace down to the front entrance in response to the site slope. The line of the boundary wall continues into the main body of the building with a frameless glass wall, to form a covered entrance. Cantilevered timber staircases and a glazed lift maximise light in the double-height reception area whilst providing access to bedroom suites. The master bedroom on the third floor cantilevers over the drive to maximize sunlight & views, and opens onto a south-facing roof terrace.