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.
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