The Garth

Demolition of a 1960’s house and construction of a Georgian style home with detached coach house, having internal spaces of around 6200 ft2.

The Challenge

Janes Architectural were approached by the client who wished to take down his existing house, which had become tired and dated having given good service bringing up the children, who in turn had since matured and fled the nest. The intention was to build a larger property in a Georgian style with plenty of space for the family to return and stay along with their own children when they arrived!

The site was secluded, set behind other properties along the road and accessed by a long and wooded driveway. Although large, due to the orientation of the plot there were constraints to consider with regard to proximity to other properties and the many mature trees on and around the site.

The Solution

We pursued the client’s Georgian dream, starting off with a scheme against our advice that was a little too large for the site. This was duly refused and consent granted second time round for a similar design reduced in size with a little help from a firm of Planning Consultants.

The revised design still incorporated all the rooms and features that the client had requested within a perfectly proportioned Georgian exterior. One of the main internal statements being a central helical staircase with a circular galleried landing with sitting area and balcony at first floor level.

The accommodation features a large kitchen, breakfast and sitting area, four further reception rooms with a well proportioned impressive drawing room, and snug lounge doubling up as a cinema room. The first floor houses five en suite bedrooms with a large studio / games room having its own bathroom in the attic. The coach house has parking for three cars together with a garden WC and store room with and internal staircase leading to a further studio / home office above.

Particular attention was given to the external materials and detailing to ensure that the appearance was true to the symmetry, regularity and proportions of the Ancient Roman derived ideals of the Georgian period.

In a very unfortunate set of circumstances the original client was unexpectedly taken ill during the construction and never fully realised his dream. The incomplete house remained vacant and was eventually sold to a new owner who made a great job of completing the property as intended and to a very high standard, the house is now being enjoyed by himself and his own family!