wouldn’t compromise the traditional aesthetic: “It was important that a new home looked in keeping with the existing.” Emrys’ proposal was essentially to divide the site and create a separate home by refurbishing the outbuildings. To minimise the impact the di- viding wall would have on the historic farmhouse, the plan was to build it with traditional methods y local masons using int, repurposed rics and natural lime mortar.


Even though she was looking to downsize,


Caroline is still an avid gardener, and having a home that provided easy access to a garden was imperative during the design phase. “It was important to me to keep a good section of the garden that I have worked on for so many years, and to be able to look over it from the house.”


She adds: “I also wanted to have good light coming into the house and a view of the south facing garden so it made sense to try and include a large amount of glazing.”


PLANNING & CONSTRUCTION Caroline reports that it was a fairly straightfor- ward process to get the design through plan- ning. “The planners were very supportive of our ideas, and felt the contemporary elements worked well with the old buildings.” One minor stipulation emerged when a neighbour had concerns about the original plot being divided, and the impact it may have on the listed build-


32 www.sbhonline.co.uk


“I had no idea how much design and construction would be needed to make something that looks so simple”


ing. However, because of the team’s well-devised designs, this was quickly resolved. During construction, Caroline left her daughter and son-in-law in charge of project managing the build. Covid disrupted the project, with subcontractors initially being furloughed, and then “not having the capacity to complete the work when required,” explains Caroline. Further delays occurred when materials such as plaster ecame dificult to otain, causing a nocon effect of the programme. “Some costs were higher than expected due to the pandemic. Fortunately, there were a couple of suppliers that were able to provide some of the packages – for example the glazing,” explains Caroline. Despite these challenges, the three


mar/apr 2022


LOW POINT


“Covid made the process much more stressful as I wasn’t able to visit showrooms so had to have all samples brought to me.”


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