Cable House

Modern living, beautifully grounded.

Cable House is a home that captures the essence of contemporary family life while embracing the natural beauty of its surroundings. Located in Essex and set against a backdrop of mature trees and garden views, this project reimagined a modest bungalow into a sleek, light-filled home that feels both refined and entirely at ease in its setting.

From the beginning, the brief was clear: create a contemporary home that made the most of the landscape, prioritised privacy, and delivered comfort, elegance and practicality.

The brief

We began by listening to how the family lived, their aspirations, and what the site had to offer. While the original bungalow lacked space and flow, it had good bones and a strong connection to the garden. Our task was to retain that connection while introducing a bold new design that elevated everyday living.

The vision called for simplicity, natural light, and a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor life, without losing sight of cost efficiency and buildability.

The design

Rather than demolish and rebuild, we proposed a creative and efficient alternative: retain the existing single-storey structure and introduce a lightweight, carefully considered first-floor addition.

The result is a clean, confident composition. Originally envisaged as fully timber-clad, the design evolved to combine brilliant white render at ground level with dramatic black charred timber across the upper floor and key elevations. This contrast gives the home a sculptural clarity, while allowing the addition to feel both distinct and integrated.

Large expanses of glazing frame the garden and flood the interior with light, creating a strong visual and emotional connection to the landscape. Internally, the layout is open, bright and welcoming: perfect for modern family life.

Materials and detail

Every element was chosen with intention, from the tactile material palette to the crisp geometry of the form. The use of charred timber creates a rich, textured finish that nods to nature while offering long-term durability. Brilliant white render provides a calm, grounding base, allowing the new upper level to feel light and refined.

The internal spaces are calm and considered, balancing openness with privacy. The plan maximises views and orientation while ensuring neighbouring properties are respected, both visually and spatially.

The outcome

This is a project that reflects the Hobden Butler ethos: thoughtful design, honest materials, and deep respect for the people and places we work with.

Cable House was granted planning at the first attempt, thanks to a sensitive yet confident approach and a clear design rationale. It’s a home that feels at one with its surroundings – connected to nature, crafted for family life, and built to stand the test of time.