HAPA Architects

HAPA Architects We are a dynamic and experienced, design-led Brighton based architecture studio.

We are a dynamic design-led architectural practice based in Brighton, East Sussex. We cover all elements of architectural design from inception to completion on a wide range of projects and scales.

What We Learned Designing Low-Energy Homes in SussexFrom Black Timber House to The Brick Barn, our recent projects acros...
05/06/2026

What We Learned Designing Low-Energy Homes in Sussex

From Black Timber House to The Brick Barn, our recent projects across Sussex have reinforced a simple principle: sustainability works best when it’s considered from the very beginning.

In our latest news article, we share what we’ve learned about creating beautiful, comfortable homes that use less energy through thoughtful design, high-performance building fabric, passive solar principles and carefully selected natural materials.

Read the full article via the link in our bio.

15/05/2026

A different perspective on our East Sussex project, this time from above.

The drone footage really captures how the new extension sits within the landscape, opening the house out towards the valley with expansive glazing and generous outdoor spaces. The layered material palette of black brick, timber cladding and zinc detailing gives the extension a bold, sculptural presence against the original cottage.





12/05/2026

Scaffold coming down on our East Sussex project. A striking side and rear extension to a traditional white cottage, designed to contrast old and new.

The ground floor is finished in black brick, with black timber cladding above and zinc fascias framing the structure. Expansive floor-to-ceiling glazing captures incredible views across the valley, while the deep veranda helps reduce solar gain and creates a dramatic outdoor living space. A cut-out detail follows the existing chimney through the roof, tying the old building into the new architecture.

A bold contemporary addition that sits in sharp contrast to the original cottage.

What does 66m² really feel like?These plans and elevations tell the story behind Hythe Rd that turns limitation into pos...
30/04/2026

What does 66m² really feel like?

These plans and elevations tell the story behind Hythe Rd that turns limitation into possibility. At just 66m², every line, opening, and threshold has been carefully considered to stretch space, light, and use far beyond its footprint.

Rather than fighting the narrow plot, the design leans into it, using alignment, joinery, and glazing to create moments of compression and release.

It’s not about making a small house feel big.
It’s about making it work beautifully.

Developed in collaboration with .of.snaps, this project shows how careful planning at detailed design stage can unlock spatial richness in the tightest of sites.

Swipe to explore the plans and elevations →


 


Small Footprint, Flexible Living - Townhouse on Hythe Road, BrightonAt just 3.4 metres wide with an area of 66m2, this t...
27/04/2026

Small Footprint, Flexible Living - Townhouse on Hythe Road, Brighton

At just 3.4 metres wide with an area of 66m2, this townhouse in Preston Park shows how tight urban sites can deliver generous, adaptable homes. Appointed at detailed design stage, we refined the layout to unlock flexibility, light, and efficiency within a constrained footprint.

The ground floor centres on an open-plan kitchen and dining space, with integrated joinery and direct access to a south-facing courtyard, drawing in natural light.

A dual-aspect first floor introduces flexibility at the heart of the home. Crittall-style glazed doors allow the space to open up or divide, supporting work, rest, or additional sleeping space as needs change.

Above, a primary bedroom suite captures long views towards the sea, with a large bifold window enhancing light and a sense of openness.

Developed by .of.snaps, we worked closely together throughout the design process.

Compact in scale but carefully resolved, the house balances spatial efficiency with long-term adaptability.

Fairview, Lewes - Before & AfterFrom chalet bungalow to contemporary family home.Set on an elevated site, this transform...
22/04/2026

Fairview, Lewes - Before & After

From chalet bungalow to contemporary family home.
Set on an elevated site, this transformation reimagines the original house into a light-filled, low-energy home designed for modern living, maximising views, performance, and space.

A complete rethink, built on the same footprint.

17/04/2026

Fairview, Lewes: Build to Completion

A look at our Fairview project, from groundworks to finished home.

Built on the footprint of a former chalet bungalow, this contemporary family house combines thoughtful design, strong environmental performance, and careful craftsmanship, achieving EPC A (104A).

Designed to maximise views and natural light, the project reflects a fabric-first, low-energy approach throughout.
A reimagined site, delivered through collaboration at every stage.

Wild Brook Barn is a project shaped by ideas, possibilities, and a deep commitment to biodiversity.The scheme was envisi...
15/04/2026

Wild Brook Barn is a project shaped by ideas, possibilities, and a deep commitment to biodiversity.

The scheme was envisioned as a landscape-led approach, where the boundaries between architecture and ecology begin to blur. Instead of imposing on the site, the design responds to it, working with natural systems to support a richer, more diverse environment.

At its core, the thinking focuses on how built form can enable biodiversity to flourish. Layered planting strategies, habitat creation, and water-sensitive design principles come together to encourage a wide variety of species, while also creating a meaningful connection between people and nature.

Wild Brook Barn is less about a fixed outcome and more about an ongoing dialogue. A way of rethinking how we design with nature, not just alongside it. These ideas continue to inform how we approach future opportunities, keeping biodiversity at the heart of the conversation.

01/04/2026

We have started designing a moon base over looking the Sea of Tranquility 🌙

Oriel windows are a powerful way to create a feature both inside and out. Projecting into the landscape while carving ou...
23/03/2026

Oriel windows are a powerful way to create a feature both inside and out. Projecting into the landscape while carving out a unique, light-filled moment within. From deep, immersive window seats to cantilevered reading nooks, each one creates a dramatic framing of the view and a stronger connection to the outdoors.

At Black Tile House, the deep-set oriel forms a generous internal seat within a contemporary flint extension.

At Old Rectory Cottage, a cantilevered oak-lined nook captures long views across the South Downs.

And in St Agnes, Cornwall, a reimagined bungalow uses bold glazing to anchor a bright, garden-connected living space.

Three budgets. Three contexts. One shared ambition, to make the view part of everyday living.

Address

Brighton

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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+441273285945

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