Overcoming obstacles to construct a house within a flood-prone conservation area was a formidable challenge – witness the remarkable outcome.
In the heart of Cambridge, a couple named Matthew and Anna embarked on an exciting self-build project, demolishing a 1970s house to make way for a new, classically proportioned family home. The project's architect, Richard Owers, expertly designed the new abode, incorporating various features to create a comfortable, energy-efficient, and aesthetically pleasing dwelling.
The new home, spanning 300m2, retains a footprint similar to the demolished house. However, extra space was found by designing a steeper roof with a raised ridge height, allowing for a third storey. The top floor serves as a versatile workspace for Matthew, who works from home. The ground floor has been raised by 400mm to mitigate against flooding, while the symmetrical proportions of the house barely hint at its playful, family-friendly nature.
Externally, slates were chosen for the roof to mirror the dominant Victorian roof material used locally, and a Cambridge buff brick was used to reflect the brickwork in the surrounding area. To encourage local wildlife, external bird and bat boxes, including specialist boxes for swallows, were incorporated into the house design.
Inside, the ground floor living area can be separated into two areas, with acoustic sliding panels forming a smaller, soundproofed area for Matthew's cello practice. Hard surface flooring was laid throughout the house to minimize dust, with tiles in the bathroom, polished concrete in the kitchen, and solid oak elsewhere. Anna was keen to incorporate more wall space so that they could showcase their collection of paintings.
The children's bedrooms take up most of the first floor, with a smaller wing containing the main bedroom on the first floor and a children's playroom at ground level. The bedrooms all have views over the surrounding countryside.
The construction of the traditional brick-and-block house was completed within 12 months, adhering to a self-build schedule. A steel frame was erected on the south facade to allow for the installation of continuous glazing at a later date. An array of solar panels and battery storage were installed for green energy and energy efficiency.
When deciding between demolishing or extending a house for a self-build project in a conservation area and flood zone, key factors to consider include planning and regulatory constraints, structural and building condition, costs and budget, environmental and flood considerations, design flexibility and lifestyle needs, emotional and heritage value, and site logistics and sustainability.
In this particular case, the existing structure was beyond repair, making demolition necessary. However, in other situations, extending or renovating can preserve original fabric, suited to conservation areas to retain historic interest. Balancing planning restrictions, flood risk mitigation, structural condition, budget, and heritage conservation is crucial. In flood zones and conservation areas, partial demolition combined with extension or sensitive renovation often offers a compromise, but full demolition might be justified if flood risk is high or the building is beyond repair. Consultation with local planners, conservation officers, and flood risk experts is essential to navigate these complex factors effectively.
- In the heart of Cambridge, a self-build project began, demolishing a 1970s house to make way for a new home.
- The architect, Richard Owers, designed the new house with ideas for a comfortable, energy-efficient dwelling.
- The new home spans 300m2, with extra space found by designing a steeper roof and a third loft storey.
- The raised ground floor mitigates against flooding, while the symmetrical proportions hint at the home's playful, family-friendly nature.
- Slates were chosen for the roof to mirror local Victorian roofs, and a Cambridge buff brick was used to reflect the surrounding area's brickwork.
- External bird and bat boxes were incorporated into the house design to encourage local wildlife.
- Inside, the ground floor living area can be separated by acoustic sliding panels, creating a smaller soundproof space for Matthew's cello practice.
- Hard surface flooring was laid throughout the house, with tiles in the bathroom, polished concrete in the kitchen, and solid oak elsewhere.
- Anna was keen to incorporate more wall space to showcase their collection of paintings.
- The children's bedrooms take up most of the first floor, with a smaller wing containing the main bedroom and a children's playroom at ground level.
- Solar panels and battery storage were installed for green energy and energy efficiency, making it a part of a sustainable and eco-friendly interior-design lifestyle in home-and-garden projects.
