AREA: 390 sq. metres

BER RATING: EXEMPT

CONSTRUCTION DURATION: 16 months

MAIN CONTRACTOR: VITAS & CO. LIMITED

This 2-storey detached house of 390 sq. metres dates from circa 1820 and was originally surrounded by extensive farmlands and farm outbuildings. Over the years these lands were developed for suburban housing, leaving the house standing in generous mature gardens. The house was remodelled in the later 19^th century, and there remained many features from the original configuration and later reconfiguration. The house had also undergone further reconfiguration in the 20^th century.

The building fabric required fundamental refurbishment, and building services, finishes and fixtures needed to be sensitively replaced in this Protected Structure.

• A new family Kitchen/ Living Room was created by combining the existing kitchen and utility spaces, opening to the private sheltered south-facing patio garden with large titanium/ aluminium folding/ sliding doors. A new “Wintergarden” room connecting the original Dining Room with the new Kitchen was built, a space flooded with westerly natural light and providing a link from the Kitchen to the front patio and garden. The Kitchen living area is focussed on a 2-sided recessed fireplace.
• A new main Bedroom suite was created with a walk-in closet and ensuite Bathroom, the latter incorporating a restored cast-iron fireplace dating from the original house.
• A large family Bathroom was installed to the 1^st Floor, while 2 other Bedrooms have new ensuite Bathrooms.
• The building fabric was thoroughly upgraded in a manner appropriate to the historic structure. The existing suspended timber Ground Floor structure had irreparably decayed, so a new insulated concrete floor with underfloor heating was installed. The 1^st floor timber floor structure was reinforced throughout. All of the original floorboards were salvaged, repaired and re-installed.
• All of the fireplace surrounds dating from the 19^th century were removed and refurbished to their original condition.
• The external and internal render & plaster finishes had been severely damaged and poorly repaired with inappropriate materials. All of the wall finishes were removed to bare stone and brick substrates and renewed with appropriate lime render and lime plaster finishes. Original stucco mouldings and window surrounds were sensitively repaired on site.
• New electrical, lighting, and mechanical services were installed throughout. A hybrid air-source heat pump and gas boiler central heating system with thermostatically-controlled zones was installed, with an array of 14 photovoltaic panels to the roof. Ventilation is controlled by moisture-activated sensors for intake & extract.
• All of the original sliding sash windows were carefully repaired and overhauled, retaining most of the original intact glass, and with new sash cords & pulleys and draught-seals installed. The original panelled window shutters were removed and refurbished to provide a secondary thermal barrier.
• Linings to all roof valleys and parapets were renewed, several of the chimney stacks were rebuilt, and the chimney pots repaired or replaced as appropriate.
• The surrounding gardens were landscaped and illuminated, with curved planter walls and espalier trees to the front garden, new lawns and paths to the side gardens, and 2 patios with a gazebo structure and a barbecue kitchen were created to the southerly rear garden.
• The dilapidated “Turner”-style conservatory, a later addition to the house, was removed for off-site refurbishment by specialist Bushy Park Ironworks, and re-installed with specially fabricated curved panes of glass to its original condition.
• The comprehensive range of furniture, floor & wall finishes, custom joinery and furniture was commissioned in conjunction with interior designer Kari Rocca.
• Custom joinery (kitchen units, wardrobes, vanity units, wall panelling etc.) were fabricated by Aspekt Joinery.