Heritage
Chapel Cottage, Kingskerswell
Type - Restoration & conversion
Clients - Private
Value - £182,050
This protected 16th century chapel was in a serious state of disrepair when we took charge of an ambitious scheme to convert the ancient shell into a practical, modern dwelling. Using our knowledge and experience of historic architecture we won permission for a bold renovation of this Grade II listed building. The interior design styling is contemporary but subtly uses natural materials to soften the aesthetic. The main central space remains completely open to the tall, 6m high thatched roof where one can really gain a sense of the original space and its previous use. Through this area runs a floating timber gallery space which gives access to two large bedrooms in the roof void of the former chapel. In tandem with the new interior design, we utilised traditional building techniques to ensure that the cob walls and thatched roof were properly repaired and maintained. The project was successfully completed in 2005 and has featured in Devon Life Magazine, The Herald Express Newspaper and on BBC Television's Homes Under The Hammer programme.
Woodside Cottage, Hemyock
Type - Listed building
Clients - Mr & Mrs G Langford
Value - C. £500,000
In 2008 our clients purchased this series of dilapidated buildings on farmland needed to extend grazing on their existing farm. The site is within the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and, despite initial resistance from the local authority, we made a case for domestic use and secured a planning permission in 2012 for this substantial conservation project. We discovered that the principal farm house, hidden under decades of invasive vegetation and in a serious state of disrepair (see photograph), had early 17th century origins which were not previously known. The project involved the full restoration of the small cottage, partial rebuilding of a large open barn and outshut, and the conversion of several outbuildings to ancillary use. The building work was completed by local firm, Pring & Son Ltd, with the practice remaining involved to offer specialist conservation advice throughout. The resulting project provides a warm attractive home, and the scheme has saved a previously unknown heritage asset from total collapse. The design was shortlisted for a Devon Historic Buildings Trust award in 2017.
Barn End, Christow
Type - Listed building extension
Clients - Ms. C Edwards
Value - undisclosed
This grade II listed building in Dartmoor National Park required a sensitive design approach to retain the character of the existing house, but the owners longed for a light, spacious living area to augment the cosy interior spaces of the historic building. Our extension to this 15th century long house uses a subdued palate of materials to remain visibly distinct in appearance from the medieval building behind. The subtle change in level across the site allows the new living room to attach to the main house by way of an oak and glass link building, whilst at the same time addressing the mature garden beyond. The project was completed with building work by Start-2-Finish Contractors and oak framing by Emanuel Hendry. The design won Gold in the Best Garden Room category in the Devon Building Awards 2022.
Penrose, Milton Street Brixham
Type - Conservation and restoration
Clients - TMCP
Budget - £210,000
This Victorian reimagining of a medieval building was suffering from neglect when we were appointed to obtain the relevant listed building consents for a complete refurbishment. The process began with a careful study of the building to uncover its interesting past. Detailed investigations revealed significant repairs were needed to correct woodworm, damp issues, and to make the flats exceed environmental health standards. The scheme was fully managed on behalf of the owners and was completed to the delight of the returning tenants.
Culver House, Chudleigh
Type - Conservation and restoration
Client - Chris Cox Developments
Budget - £1.2m
Culver House was left to rack and ruin until our ambitious development plan was put in place. This late 18th century villa was largely restructured in the Victorian era but by 2010 the building was subdivided into squalid flats. Local developer Chris Cox appointed us to provide restoration advice and masterplan strategy for the site. The resulting design saw the vast main house converted to three luxury houses and the stables and carriage houses repurposed as discrete homes set within the generous grounds. The design sought to reflect the individual character of the grand villa and subservient outbuildings whilst providing superb internal spaces suitable for modern life. The masterplan tied together the buildings with a strong soft & hard landscape ethos to unify the various elements within this historic setting.
Glebe House, Corwood.
Type – Listed building restoration & conversion
Clients - Private
Value - Undisclosed
This Grade II listed historic mansion house required specialist knowledge and a sensitive design approach to restore the main house and convert the outbuildings. With our enthusiastic owner clients, this incredible property was faithfully restored; recreating early fire places where these had been lost, restoring picture rails, features, windows and the proportions of the Georgian rooms. Two outbuildings (a former shippen and stable) were sensitively converted for holiday use and the grounds were re-landscaped to recreate the early parkland setting. During the course of the project, we discovered an earlier phase of building work within the ostensibly Regency house. An older fireplace and floor structures suggested that parts of the building dated to c. 1600, pushing the known history of the building back by 150 years. Our design took account of these features to allow these elements of the building to shine through, even though they might be considered less ‘grand’ than the mansion style frontage which overlaid them. The thorough supporting statements and analysis we provided ensured that the planning and listed building consents were obtained swiftly from Dartmoor National Park Authority, allowing work on this important and iconic building to proceed in a timely manner. Photographs by Strutt & Parker.