Joshua Heasman Architecture has secured planning permission for a new-build family home in Putney, on a prominent historic street at the edge of a conservation area and close to the River Thames. The house balances a contemporary architectural language with the scale and character of the surrounding Victorian terraces, including the celebrated Road – famously linked to the Mr Benn cartoon series.

The design carefully resolves the home’s three key frontages – to the street, conservation park and private garden – so that the new building sits comfortably within the wider townscape. A split-level arrangement and a slender rear outrigger are used to make the most of the compact urban plot, improving spatial efficiency and maximising natural light throughout the interior.

The scheme is designed to achieve net zero operational carbon, combining solar panels, an air source heat pump, EV charging and a sustainable drainage system. Where possible, original materials such as slate will be retained and reused. A restrained palette of darker brick and finely tuned glazing reduces visual bulk, allowing the house to sit quietly but confidently within the streetscape.

The project has been developed through close consultation with planners, conservation officers and ecologists to respond to the site’s environmental and historical sensitivities. The clients – a family of long-time Putney residents – are expected to begin construction later this year, with completion targeted within 12 months.