Hollaway Studio is an architectural and interior design practice, specialising in unusual houses, that embraces the past, the present, and the future and places people and feeling at the core of its architecture philosophy.

The residential sector is very familiar to Hollaway. We have designed and built many projects over the years in Kent and the Southeast of the UK.  We create ambitious designs that reflect the surroundings focused on how people use spaces and flow through a building. Working closely with our clients, our team of architects and interior designers realise your brief and aspirations to create a successful and memorable guest experience.

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Design begins with feeling – for place, for the past, for the needs and wants of the now, and for a future that matters. It listens. It empathises. It’s pragmatic. It’s an understanding that informs everything we do. It makes buildings that work – truly, beautifully. This is how we approach all unusual house design projects.

A residential architecture practice is nothing without its people, and the very best practices are those in which everyone has a voice – however different it may be. We are extremely fortunate Hollaway is exactly this: an extraordinary bunch of thinkers, talkers, and doers. These are the people that get buildings made.

When approached to design the equestrian centre Angley Stud, we told the client that we knew nothing about horses. His response was that this was all the better. He didn’t want a horse person as his architect. He wanted something different: he wanted someone who knew how to design with feeling. For such a horse, the ultimate dancer, the elite of the elites, it would have to be the most extraordinary of designs.

Hollaway’s approach to unusual house design always starts with people and place.  How does a building contribute to the community it will inhabit? How will people interact and engage with the architecture created in this space?  Under his leadership and hands on approach Guy Hollaway has created a design-led Practice committed to innovative building solutions, with work ranging from prestigious one off commissions to large scale regeneration projects.

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The RIBA award-winning architecture and design practice has built its reputation working on a wide array of projects, including a cutting-edge skate park, the world’s first heritage theme park, a bespoke artist’s studio in an open field, and a high-end seafood restaurant. The breadth of these projects may be wide, but each one brings the perfect balance of playfulness and sincerity, with a firm focus on placemaking, sustainability and the experience of the individuals who will use the space.

London
10A Acton Street WC1X 9NG
+44 (0)20 7096 5425

Kent
The Tramway Stables, Rampart Road
Hythe CT21 5BG
+44 (0)1303 260 515

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The Most Unusual Houses In The UK

When you are looking for inspiration for your own home, there are many places you might choose to look. Of course, it can be tricky knowing how to find the right inspiration, and it’s something that everyone is going to struggle with from time to time. But if you are keen to get some interesting and unique ideas for your planning process, then you might want to take a look at some pretty unusual houses along the way.

In this article, we are going to take you through some of the most unusual houses in the UK. You should find that these are interesting enough to get your design juices flowing.

Ladywell Water Tower

If you ever find yourself in Lewisham, you should definitely check out the Ladywell Water Tower. At 120ft tall, it is certainly going to be well worth a visit if you ever get the chance, but it is not just the height that makes it quite so unique and unusual. It’s also got a very interesting interior decor, with some unusual designs having been thrown together. In recent times, it has been converted into apartments, but those seem to be keeping up the unusual theme of the building as it was before.

Victorian Turkish Bathhouse

This renovated Victorian Turkish Bathhouse is located in Leonards-on-Sea in East Sussex, and it is currently valued at around £1.5 million. Among its unique charms are: its very own bowling alley, a hanging crib, a school swimming house, and it was even once a glass factory, meaning it also has a pretty interesting and unique history to it too. It’s definitely one of the most unusual houses in the UK, perhaps even in all of Europe, and a beautiful one internally too, so it should be great to live in.

Ackergill Tower

Okay, so this is much more than just a house – it’s a whole castle, complete with tower and all. But it is definitely one of the most interesting and unique places of residence in the UK, that much is certain. It is to be found near John O’Groats and its current price is somewhere in the £3-4 million mark. Plus, if this is the kind of thing that tickles your interest, it is also believed to be haunted by a 500-year old ghost. Supposedly, a woman called Helen Gunn, the Beauty of Braemore, resides there in spirit still.

Windmill

There are actually a number of windmills which have been renovated into houses, but this one in Barnham, West Sussex is especially beautiful, and particularly unique. First built in 1829, it was powered entirely by wind until 1920 and then converted to engine power. The RAF even occupied it for a short time during the war. There is definitely a lot of history in this fascinating home.

If you have a dream house project that you would like to see to completion, don’t hesitate to get in touch with revered architects Hollaway Studio. You can email on [email protected].