4 Bedroom bungalow ● The Atrium, Selworthy, Furzton ● £775,000

The current owners of the Atrium had long considered building their dream home in the right peaceful semi-rural environment within Milton Keynes, but it was not until 1999 that the perfect opportunity presented itself. “The stars changed or perhaps it was just luck!” one of them recalls. “A quarter-of-an-acre, self-build plot, which would take a large four-bedroom bungalow with an integral double garage, became available at the end of a cul-de-sac in Furzton. It was facing Tatternhoe Valley Park and had easy access to endlessly different walks. So the fun – and the stresses – of building our own home began.” Today, some 26 years later, they still marvel at their achievement and realise they made so many excellent decisions in the conception, design and finish of the Atrium. The house offers welcoming, well-proportioned, light-filled accommodation and has an easy flow throughout. The garden has matured to become a true haven in the spring and summer months.

BLUE SKY THINKING

The owners wanted a single-storey home that was bright, versatile and easy to live in. “There was plenty of time-consuming research into design concepts in the UK, the USA and Australia,” he remembers. “We realised that the US idea of making the entrance a significant central feature, with the other accommodation feeding off it, might just fit the restrictions imposed by the build zone. But then, how to avoid a dark entrance in the middle of the bungalow? The answer was in the stars! So we added a raised, four-panel atrium in the middle, to provide light into a high, wood-panelled dining hall. This was fed by a spacious entrance hall, with the kitchen to one side and a cloakroom and a long, wide integral double garage to the other. This enabled us to maximise floor space usage with a utility area and plant room at the back of the garage, as well as giving space to open both car doors fully.”

HEIGHTS OF SOPHISTICATION

The rest, he continues, was straightforward. A large sitting room, with a centrepiece fireplace, was connected to the dining hall through a double archway, bringing an inviting, open-plan feel to the living space. The four double bedrooms, one of which is currently used as a study, lead from the central area. The master bedroom has an en suite wet room, leading to a large walk-in airing cupboard. There is a Jack-and-Jill bathroom between two of the other bedrooms. “Then we had to consider the construction and internal specification, as well as the building process,” he says. “During our initial research period, we knew we wanted a timber-framed building package, offering both superior specification and a reduced build time. We eventually chose Scandia Hus who came in at the higher end in terms of specification and quality.”

MODERN WORLD

As a result, the property was built with high levels of insulation throughout, wheelchair-wide doors and hardwood internal doors and architraves. “We also included many additional features to enhance our comfort and pleasure – some of these were cutting-edge at the time. There is a water-fed underfloor heating, mechanical ventilation, a central vacuum system, an instant hot water loop, wiring for an audio/TV system in the main rooms, a water softener and a waste disposal unit,” he adds.

SPECIAL TIMES

From the unique, central dining hall to the sitting room with its garden views, they have enjoyed everything about their Furzton property. “It is a wonderful home in which to entertain relatives and friends, particularly eating inside, with the stars above the dining table,” he enthuses. “We still get some quiet satisfaction when each and every new visitor marvels at the vista that confronts them as they enter. We have also celebrated many of life’s milestones here, including a very special 60th birthday dinner and entertainment, with a marquee in the back garden for nearly 100 guests.”

A HAPPY HOME

They have also made the most of the myriad of walking and cycling routes on their doorstep. “There is the nearby Furzton Lake, which is a haven for bird life and fishing, as well as numerous children’s playgrounds and a local sports field.” There are also nearby woods, with play areas and it is close to schools and just a 10-minute walk to the local shopping centre, which has an array of shops, eateries and a doctor’s surgery. The owner recalls working with a planning officer back in the early stages of the project. “He had a phrase that he repeated regularly as we developed the final footprint and external appearance – he wanted us to build ‘a happy looking’ house,” he remembers. “We never quite understood what this phrase meant, but we do know it has been a very happy home under the stars for us for more than 26 years now!”

Outside

To the front of the Atrium, there is a driveway, providing off-road parking and leading to the integral garage. To the rear, the property opens onto a generous, enclosed garden. “This has been nurtured and developed by us over the years into a mixture of patio, lawn, flower beds and a fruit and vegetable area,” says the owner.

• Property reference CWR080610268
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