Rose Cottage Extension Leicestershire
Rose Cottage, Leicestershire
The Brief
Our clients live in a conservation area in Leicestershire and wanted a way of extending and remodelling their rural cottage to accommodate their whole family. At the same time they wanted their home to compliment the surrounding heritage architecture.
Our Solution
We extended to the rear of the property and combined the retained cottage with the large garden. This created social space for the family and connected the existing space to the abundant nature in the large rear garden.
Heritage Architecture
Working in a Conservation Area
Swain architecture have a lot of experience working in conservation areas and work with local planning officers to achieve planning permission in challenging locations.
Blending Traditional with Contemporary
Appropriate scale of buildings and the materials they are built in are aspects of architectural design we are sensitive to at Swain Architecture. At Rose Cottage we chose a pitched roof to the upper level and specified reclaimed brick and wood façades externally so the new building blended in with the existing. We hope you agree that this is contemporary and sensitive architecture.
A Family Home
Space for Everyone
Connecting to a modest village cottage, our challenge was to create a master suite as well as three bedrooms, including one en-suite. By opting for vaulted ceilings on the first floor we retained the intimate nature of the original cottage and creating an extension that was sensitive in scale and form.
Connected to Nature
At the ground level, full width glazing frames the large garden. This introduces lots of light to the interior as well as providing an amazing view of the large cottage garden.
Do you have a heritage property you’d like to turn into a family home?
Swain Architecture has extensive experience working with planning authorities to ensure sensitive development within conservation areas. Whether you’re raring to knock down walls, or taking your first tentative steps towards a new space, we’d love to hear about your project. Bringing inspiration, robust design practice and plenty of experience with us, we transform spaces into something you can enjoy for years to come.
What did the clients think?
“Izzy understood exactly what we wanted. The old house was tricky with lots of small dark rooms and awkward spaces. Now the flow is so much better and the rooms larger and brighter. There’s a good balance of quirky old spaces and modern new spaces! We have floor to ceiling glass running across the entire back of the house- couldn’t connect any better to nature or be any lighter. It’s a real wow factor in the house.”
The owners of Rose Cottage, Leicestershire
Stoneycroft, a new-build family home in Derbyshire
Stoneycroft, Derbyshire
The Brief
Our clients bought a rare plot in a popular Derbyshire village with rolling countryside views. Their brief was to design a home for a family with grown children who all live busy lives and want a space they can enjoy together, while also providing a level of flexibility and space. The family also own a company that specialises in industrial buildings and wanted to put this expertise to use by building by using a steel framed building.
Our Solution
Working within the context of a rural village we designed a series of buildings that step down into the landscape, following the topography of the land. We designed a shallow plan building, which lends itself to steel framed construction. Aesthetically this design is reminiscent of traditional, brick built agricultural buildings found in this area.
Although the house is, in essence large, the design of ‘a collection of buildings’ conceals the scale within the streetscene and provides plenty of living space that frames the amazing views.
Architecture with a Sense of Place
Our Concept: A Collection of Rural Buildings
We always try to deliver quality architecture with a design that suits a building surroundings. Having made sure we reviewed the landscape, topology and neighbouring architecture we came up with this design of a collection of rural buildings. This design offers plenty of space for a large family but from the road it looks like a series of smaller homes. The main glass entrance forms a link between buildings at the same time as offering a glimpse of rural countryside views as arrive. The amount of glazing also floods the main circulation with light, without making it a greenhouse in summer.
Working in a Rural Area
Swain architecture are experienced at working within rural areas. We liaised with South Derbyshire District Council Planning Authority and ensured that our designs work within the picturesque village and streetscene of the property.
A Family Home
Space for Everyone
Houses in villages have a reputation as being small. Our challenge was to create a large amount of family accommodation that flows naturally, offering communal areas as well as personal spaces. As well as four bedrooms, a snug, mezzanine, gym, home office, boot room and utility, give this home defined spaces and clutter free circulation. All of these extra spaces ensure that a home works and functions well.
Connected to Nature
At the rear of the property, full width glazing frames the outside space. This introduces lots of light to the kitchen/living space as well as providing an amazing view of the large garden, and beautiful rolling Derbyshire countryside.
Built Form
Architectural Detail
The materials buildings are designed with are important to us at Swain Architecture. With our design for Stoneycroft we chose local red brick and timber (typically agricultural) for the façades of the building but utilised them in a contemporary way. Our aim is to design a building that looks like it belongs in its surroundings while being authentic to its time. We hope you agree that we’ve achieved both contemporary and sensitive architecture.
What did the clients think?
“Thank you so much again for designing our house. We love living here and we couldn’t have done it without your professional approach and understanding of our requirements. We are both very grateful.”
The owners of Stoneycroft, Derbyshire
Do you have a heritage property you’d like to turn into a family home?
Swain Architecture has extensive experience working with planning authorities to ensure sensitive development within rural areas. Whether you’re raring to knock down walls, or taking your first tentative steps towards a new space, we’d love to hear about your project. Bringing inspiration, robust design practice and plenty of experience with us, we transform spaces into something you can enjoy for years to come.
Leicestershire, Extension & Renovation
The Spinneys, Leicestershire
The Brief
Our client had experienced challenges in transforming this (newly listed) Grade II Listed detached home near the National Forest in Leicestershire into their dream home. This rare example of Arts & Crafts Architecture in the rural English Midlands is well loved by local residents.
Our Solutions
As experts in working with heritage buildings we worked closely with a heritage specialist and Charnwood District Council Planning Department to design an exceptional piece of architecture worthy of sitting beside this existing building. When working with old buildings we often believe in complementing the original design rather than running the risk of creating a pastiche. Our solution was a contemporary crafted piece of architecture that satisfies the owners contemporary taste and celebrates the listed building.
Arts & Crafts Principles
The Arts & Crafts movement is known for quality materials and craftsmanship. Our design features some modern-day craftsmanship in respect to the exiting building. White handmade bricks add to the textural quality of the extension by introducing a contrast to the glazing, and a large bronze frame adds a warm depth to the existing house. Our design celebrates the uninterrupted lightweight, effortless glazing, draping internal spaces with picture-perfect views, framing the homes large, wooded garden.
Working Within a Conservation Area
We created a design that returns the existing building to its original design and proportions. We made sure we visually separated the extension from the existing building making it subservient and sensitive. This project presented significant challenges for us to achieving planning consent and our approach of working with the planning authority and within heritage best practices resulted in planning approval being granted.
Class Q Barn Conversion, Langar, Nottinghamshire
The Cowshed, Langar, Nottinghamshire
The Brief
Our client wanted to realise the asset that it had in a disused agricultural barn in a popular Nottinghamshire village in The Vale of Belvoir.
Our Solutions
As a specialist in Class Q Barn Conversions, where owners are allowed to convert agricultural buildings to residential use, we were able to unlock the potential of this prime piece of property. Once converted this rural building has been transformed into a detached four bedroom home that fits in seamlessly with its rural surroundings.
The living spaces of this Langar contemporary barn make full use of the sweeping countryside views. The floor to ceiling windows offer expansive views of some of the region’s most beautiful countryside and really bring the outside in.
At first glance this contemporary barn design is a single storey building but this has simply led us to be efficient with the space we provide by making the loft space into bedroom accommodate. The unusual windows and roof pitch give the rooms character and frame different views to the lower ground floors.
Country living is contrasted internally with washrooms kitted out with urban luxury. Innovative Velux windows open out to be a first floor balcony, such a good use of attic space and a real improvement on conventional roof line windows that don’t utilise the great views as much as they could.
Scout Hut, Sawley, Nottingham
Scout Hut, Sawley, Nottingham
The Brief
Located close to Swain HQ, Sawley Scout group wanted a new base to replace their existing hut to accommodate their many varied activities and will also open the building up to the wider community.
Our Solutions
Our objective was to creates a design that inspires and aids them in their mission to source funding for this ambitious project. The design uses natural materials to create a multi-functional space where younger ages can meet in safety and interact with their building and retained outdoor space. The form and orientation of the building reflect the desire to create a highly sustainable building in line with the scouting ethos and values. The design features an interior climbing wall, a glazed mezzanine meeting space, and a biodiversity garden.
Rural Housing Development, Vale of Belvoir, Leicestershire
Rural Housing Development, Vale of Belvoir, Leicestershire
Our clients, Willett Homes have established a track record for creating unique and special homes, built to a high standard. We’ve designed their latest creation, Deben Farm, which is a beautifully situated rural development project. Set in open countryside within the Vale of Belvoir the project is close to Scalford and Long Clawson, and a short drive away from Melton Mowbray, Nottingham, Leicester, Loughborough, and Grantham.
As scheme architects Swain Architecture secured planning consent from Melton Borough Council for a development of five new-build homes, comprising an interesting blend of architecture and scale. The design mixes contemporary design with a classic local vernacular to deliver a small hamlet that knits well into this desirable rural setting.
Plot 1
Plot 1 at Deben Farm is an inspiring detached contemporary barn. Created with energy efficiency in mind, the family home has four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Contrasting the North facing approach which has modest glazing, the South facing elevations open out onto a private garden with uninterrupted views of the gently undulating Vale of Belvoir countryside beyond, all framed by high-performance glazing at ground and first floor levels. The design offers a large open living-dining-kitchen space with lots of more private spaces for peaceful family life as well as appropriate storage which is often missing in new-build properties.
Plot 2
Designed as a modern design of a classic country cottage, plot 2 is a stunning detached three-bedroom home. From the approach this house may look modest, but the cleaver layout offers more than enough space for family living. The flexible floor plan offers an incredibly versatile design with open plan living and bedrooms at ground and first floor levels, all with views of a private garden.
Plot 3
Plot 3 at Diben Farm is a stunning 3 bedroom detached development. Designed to have a flexible layout, the house is principally a ground floor single storey home, having the added attraction of a mezzanine deck, emanating from an architectural brief to create a relaxed open plan lifestyle. West facing glazing from living/entertaining space and bedrooms will make this house a place to be as the sun goes down.
Plot 4
One of our favourite designs, as part of our Deben Farm development for Willett Homes is Plot 4 – a stunning contemporary barn concept. Using natural undulation of the plot the black wooden clad barn shape is slightly recessed into the landscape, providing great views and a conversation with the topology. Unusually, the sleeping accommodation is found on the lower level with five bedrooms, three washrooms and an office which leaves an expansive open plan living area upstairs to benefit from the views of the private garden and rural views beyond.
Plot 5
One of the largest plots at Deben Farm is Plot 5. Conceived with great imagination and flair, this home is a substantial vernacular period stone barn conversion. This home retains the period charm of an attractive country barn, at the same time as offering a flexible layout including a grand main bedroom suite and rooms of substantially scale. This design would suit people who desire a country lifestyle with all of the benefits of a new-build home.
This project is currently on site
Housing Development in Long Clawson, Leicester
Hall Farm, Long Clawson
Swain Architecture reimagined this former Class Q Barn Conversion and a further conversion of an equestrian building into a residential development adjacent building.
A Successful Development
Swain Architecture partners housing developers to create commercially viable places that people want to live. Our understanding of commerciality married with our experience working with our self-build clients makes us perfectly placed to create architecturally interesting homes that can achieve planning permission in complex sites as well as demand a good market value.
Custom Build Architecture
At Swain Architecture we pride ourselves on working with our clients in a very collaborative way. We can lend our vast wealth of knowledge in architectural development to create fantastic spaces that deliver the maximum land value for the developer at the same time as creating architecture that is attractive to buyers and planning officers too. We offer our developers a Custom Build service where plots can be sold and then potential buyers can customised the design and build of their house rather than selling off plan. This gives buyers all the benefits of a Self Build home but with the security of a buying from housing such as builder guarantees and costs based on an economy of scale.
TANK Nottingham Office Headquarters
TANK Nottingham Office Headquarters
The Brief
Our friends, the PR agency Tank wanted their new commercial office design to delight both their clients and team in equal measure. Tank’s owner Trevor, a heritage enthusiast, asked us to assist them in restoring this important Victorian building, whilst making it ‘work’ for their fast growing and dynamic business.
Our Solutions
The removal of the unattractive partitions on the first and second floors helped reinstate the original large, bright open-plan spaces in this historic period building. We created flexible studio spaces to allow for the flexible expansion of the company as well as the transformation of other rooms for use as small event spaces.
Mad Men Meets The House of Elliot
A Contemporary & Sensitive Restoration
On the ground floor we transformed the space, creating luxurious meeting spaces and even a multi-purpose reception bar for client events and team breakout space. The décor was carefully considered and reflects the building’s history. Even the toilets have had the glamorous treatment with old Victorian washstands transformed to create sink units, with a rich, deep heritage colour palette used throughout.
Interior Architecture
This has been a fascinating project for Swain Architecture and has allowed us to venture into the interior design. Working closely with our client who has a strong sense of style and passion for heritage buildings. We specified everything from décor and lighting to furnishings and materials.
Ivy House Bottesford Leicestershire
Ivy House, Bottesford, Leicestershire
The Brief
Swain architecture designed this project to convert an unused two-storey outbuilding and link it via a new ground floor, single-storey family room to a detached Victorian home in a Conservation Area.
Background
The owners of this beautiful rural property felt they weren’t making the most of the interior space they had with their unused two storey outbuilding being located in between the main living space and the large garden.
Our Solutions
By adding a modest single storey link from the main house to the renovated two storey outbuilding we connected the house to the garden. The new link created a large kitchen-dining-lounge space with views across the picturesque garden.
Connecting to a Better Lifestyle
It is often thought that the more space in a home the better. At Swain Architecture we believe that well planned usable space is even more important. The benefit of employing a good architect, (like Swain Architecture!) is that the entire building is considered, even if the additional space is relatively modest. Connecting well-proportioned rooms in a way that suits a client’s lifestyle and needs.
New Accommodation
The single storey link building has created a private walled courtyard centred around an original antique water pump. The new family room has connected the house with the garden with sight lines through to the very bottom of the garden which overlooks this picturesque town within a Conservation Area. New rooms include a guest bedroom, home office and room to accommodate a growing family.
Arts and Crafts Renovation in Derbyshire
Arts an Crafts Renovation, Derbyshire
The Brief
We were trusted by our clients, to make architectural interventions to their beautiful Arts and Crafts home. Built in 1926, the house was designed by George Widdows who became Chief Architect of Derbyshire and was known for his architectural work in the education sector.
The brief was to modernise parts of their home to suit their way of life and make best use of the existing space. Our clients wanted the building fabric to be upgraded where work was undertaken, to improve the energy efficiency whilst retaining the building’s charm and character.
The owners of this beautiful Arts & Crafts detached home wanted to repurpose some of their spaces without losing the building’s charm and character.
Our Solution
By utilising part of the garage as a room we needed to design this black timber linking building to attach the new room to the main house. When adding anything new to a character building you need to be sensitive and balance any differing styles. We’re really happy with how it’s turned out – it compliments the period buildings it sits in between.
At the rear of the building our design has protected the period architecture by not impacting the façade. So often architects and clients reach for a maximalist intervention, at the expense of period architecture. At Swain we believe that heritage architecture can be protected at the same time as creating contemporary internal spaces that work together and creates environments to suit modern life.
Seamless Extension
Internally this contemporary timber extension, creates a warm welcome and provides lots of practical space for storage, whilst hopefully clearing space in the original house to let that hallway shine!
New Living Space
To the side and rear of our client’s Arts and Crafts home we utilised a space for dining and relaxing by specifying these new full height metal framed windows. Although new and energy efficient they are very much complimentary to the Arts and Crafts period and fit with the existing building well, without being a pastiche. They open up the view of the garden and beyond into the amazing Derbyshire countryside.
More and Better Space to Live
Home Gym
Having re-purposed and reconfigured space attached to this beautiful Arts and Crafts home our client has set about making use of the space. This lovely home gym is a great use of some of the extra space reclaimed as part of our designs.
Specific features we’re pleased with are the glass stair wall which brings light into the staircase and makes the spaces feel more open plan.
There’s also a storage wall. At Swain we don’t underestimate the value of storage which can often be overlooked but makes spaces more practice for modern life and keeps spaces looking as high quality as our clients aspirations.
More Accommodation
One of the other spaces our reconfiguration of our client’s Arts and Crafts home has created, is a loft space lounge that can also double as a guest space. There is also a new shower room in this space for visitors. We configured this addition to the house for space, ventilation, and utilities so that the room works for its many purposes, without feeling smaller.
Details
Architectural Detailing
One thing our client’s Arts and Crafts home is blessed with is some great period features like this porthole window that gives character to the exterior of the building as well as visual interest to the interior. The glazing company did really well with this project and the client is really happy with the completed job Architectural Bronze Casements have done.
Do you have a heritage property you’d like to turn into a family home?
Swain Architecture has extensive experience working with planning authorities to ensure sensitive development within rural areas. Whether you’re raring to knock down walls, or taking your first tentative steps towards a new space, we’d love to hear about your project. Bringing inspiration, robust design practice and plenty of experience with us, we transform spaces into something you can enjoy for years to come.
