Pocket House

Pocket House is an inventive architectural insertion located within the historic Mill Road Conservation Area of Cambridge.

Tasked with replacing an existing double garage, the design delivers a highly efficient, compact one-bedroom property that maximises the potential of a heavily constrained urban plot.
Despite a modest footprint of just 45 square meters, the home achieves a generous sense of space through a strategic two-storey arrangement. To respect the scale of the neighbouring properties and strictly minimise the overall height of the new dwelling, the ground floor is cleverly designed to be partially sunken into the site. In a collaborative approach to the build, the property was constructed using an innovative Insulated Concrete Formwork (ICF) system. This modern method of construction not only ensures excellent thermal performance but also allowed much of the physical on-site work to be carried out directly by the client, successfully managing project costs without compromising the integrity of the design.
Externally, the building is defined by a carefully considered, muted material palette that references the local vernacular while presenting a distinctly contemporary profile. The facade is seamlessly clad in locally sourced, handmade Gault brick slips, contrasting beautifully with a striking feature roof crafted from brown zinc. Together, these high-quality materials allow the home to sit comfortably within its historic context, offering a subtle yet highly characterful new addition to the vibrant urban street scene.

Contractor: Self Build By Developer

Photographer: Richard Fraser Photography