Inside Little Thakeham — A Lutyens Masterpiece in West Sussex
- Catherine Luckhurst
- Jul 2
- 3 min read
Introduction
At springtime we had the pleasure of being given the keys to Little Thakeham for an afternoon, a remarkable Arts & Crafts country house designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in our region of West Sussex. As practicing architects in West Sussex, we’re continually inspired by historic precedents that inform our modern work in sustainable architectural design, conservation, and project management. Little Thakeham is a perfect case study; timeless, regionally rooted, and rich in design insight.
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1. A Ritual of Arrival
Approaching through the mossy stone gateposts and winding gravel path, you immediately sense Lutyens’ mastery of procession and proportion. The red-tiled roof and knapped flint walls feel familiar, almost humble, yet the symmetry and gravitas reveal a careful architectural hand. These are the kinds of layered experiences we seek to emulate in our own architecture project management and site planning work.
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2. Hearth as Heart
The heart of the home is always the hearth, and Lutyens knew this instinctively. The deeply recessed stone archway and red-brick surround create a space that is both grand and intimate. It’s a perfect example of how strong spatial elements can emotionally anchor a home — a lesson we bring forward in our planning application drawings and detailing for contemporary living spaces.
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3. Light, Form, and Landscape Integration
This stunning double-height bay window flooded the room with light while carefully framing the expansive landscape beyond; a masterclass in scale, framing, and natural ventilation. In our practice, we often apply similar strategies in sustainable architectural design, where daylighting and view corridors reduce energy use and connect occupants to their surroundings. The stone mullions and leaded glazing are also of particular interest to us as conservation architects balancing heritage sensitivity with functional upgrades.
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4. Key Takeaways for Contemporary Design
• Material honesty meets elegance: Traditional materials still have a place in modern, sustainable homes.
• Architectural storytelling through movement: Procession, arrival, and transition add richness to residential design.
• Anchor elements create identity: One or two carefully designed focal points can elevate the entire home.
• Respect for setting and context: Whether it’s a country manor or a modern eco-home, site integration is key.
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Free Download: Fireplace Sketch
As part of this blog series, we’re offering a free downloadable A3 sketch of the Little Thakeham fireplace; a useful reference for students, professionals, and anyone working on heritage-inspired design.
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References & Further Reading
• Lutyens: The Arts and Crafts Houses — a richly illustrated monograph by Gavin Stamp.
• Lutyens Houses and Gardens — includes floor plans, gardens, and in-depth commentary.
• Best sketch pads for architects — our go-to for site visits and early design studies.
Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you use them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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How We Bring This Thinking Forward
At Luckhurst Architecture, we regularly draw inspiration from historic works like Little Thakeham to inform our own design ethos. Whether we’re developing a contemporary eco-home, managing a complex planning application, or working as conservation architects on a listed building, the principles of proportion, materiality, and narrative remain timeless.
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Let’s Talk
If you’re looking for architects in West Sussex who blend heritage understanding with future-ready design, get in touch. We offer:
• Full architecture project management services
• Bespoke planning application drawings
• Sustainable architectural design with low-carbon strategies
• Conservation-led alterations and extensions
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Final Thought
Little Thakeham isn’t just a beautiful house — it’s a reminder of what’s possible when architecture serves both place and people. If you’re planning your own dream home or renovation in West Sussex, we’d love to help make it just as meaningful.
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