Shortlisted for Award

While Andrea carried off the title of ‘Best Individual New Home at the Local Authority Building Control (LABC) awards for the West of England region for her work on a house called ‘The Drift’, another of her projects was also shortlisted for the title. This was a house at Woodgate in Redditch, Worcestershire.

The Brief

Two Victorian railway carriages had been linked by a shed roof to create a makeshift dwelling on this idyllic site in the Worcestershire countryside. However, the clients wanted to replace the carriages with a new, modern home.

The Creative Solution

There is normally a restriction on developments in the greenbelt that would have prevented the new house from being ‘materially larger’ than the existing structure.

However, Andrea discussed the issue with local planners and came up with a clever design, so that the building does not look as big as it is.

One of the conditions for approval was the production of a bat survey, as the flying mammals are a protected species and this was in an area where they thrive. Andrea commissioned the survey.

The Result

Andrea worked hard to make sure that the orientation of the large, five-bedroomed new house made the best use of sunlight and privacy from the nearby road.

The building is timber clad and, on entry through the front door, visitors are met by a long glazed corridor.
There is a galleried landing and vaulted ceilings.

The Woodgate house looked very different – predominantly clad in timber, it fitted in perfectly with the setting

Adrian Wyre, Building Control Manager for the North Worcestershire Partnership of North Worcestershire Building Control.

Lyndon Darkes Design & Photography
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