Private Houses
Our work on housing has covered the full range of projects from bespoke houses on new or previously developed sites to extensions, renovations and improvements of existing houses. We are often involved with the re-use of listed buildings and their conservation and repair, conversions of barns and other properties and the design of garden rooms and garden structures.
Conversion & extension, Midgley
This was the service wing of a 17c dwelling which had become a separate dwelling and subsequently was abandoned. Our brief was to restore the building and extend it to create a family dwelling. We worked with the conservation officer and the West Yorkshire Archaeological Service to successfully realise a modern intervention solution to this interesting project.
Barn conversion, Greetland
This was a very run-down barn and former cottage block in the grounds of a listed 17c hall property and our brief was to rescue it and convert it into a single dwelling. The building was almost ruinous and a significant proportion had to be demolished and rebuilt.
Its main features were its very tall cart-way entrance and its open 2-storey interior and we were able to make full use of these in addressing the family’s requirements as a dwelling.
Long after our initial involvement with this property we continue to work on it, adapting its accommodation to the needs of its new occupants.
Sun Lounge Sowerby Bridge
A late 19c semi-detached dwelling in a high Victorian style, we were asked to carry out general improvements and to replace an unsatisfactory upvc conservatory with a more substantial garden room – a building which better related to the original structure and provided throughout the year use.
The ashlar stone extension provided wall/window/wall fenestration with a large glass lantern above and now creates the focus of indoor and outdoor life.
Sitooterie, Luddenden
To be located in a jewel garden in the grounds of a 17c listed house, this building had to provide a contemplative space for the owners who were professional fine artists. It had to sit well in its corner location, be an all the year round building and it had to contain an 18c cast iron window which they had salvaged from elsewhere.
Neither Calderdale planners who approved it without comment, nor the Halifax Courier who reported on it, had any real idea what a sitooterie was!
A multi-season building it can be used fully closed up in winter, relying on its glazed lantern and the cast iron window for daylight; it can be opened up but still protected from wind and rain by using the fully glazed sliding screens buried in its walls or it can be thrown open completely.
It is a craft-produced building involving contributions from stonemason builder, stone carver, oakwork joiners, specialist glaziers, specialist ironworker and craft blacksmith. It has been used for piano recitals, musical evenings, picnic and parties, a quiet space and a painting studio.