Early's Garage

It is in a conservation area and was originally a thatched cottage before being converted to a garage in the 20th Century. The client wanted a loft-style residence, with airy open-plan living spaces, while maintaining the property’s industrial aesthetic. The exterior design maintains the historic frontage while the rear has a contemporary look, creating tension between old and new. This continues inside where finishes were carefully selected to create a contemporary feel in contrast to the historic fabric, retained in the stone and brickwork, and the addition of exposed steels linking the building to its industrial past. The sheet metal roof was replaced with red clay tiles, in keeping with the residential location. Double doors with glazing up to eaves level open out onto the new terrace and draw light into the interior. The large open spaces of the working garage inspired the design of the conversion, with open plan living areas creating loft-style space, while the bedrooms are more intimate. The double height space of the garage is book-ended by exquisitely detailed mezzanine and staircase. Bespoke detailing refined on site with the joiners has brought this space together. Subtle selections of materials, and leaving historic stonework exposed gives a nod to the historic uses whilst contrasting subtly with the refined modern conversion. An air source heat pump provides sustainable heating for the property via underfloor heating, while high levels of insulation and double glazing were incorporated into the historic building to reduce heat loss. The property is a tour du force in retaining the historical footprint and clearly inserting a legible modern intervention, to create a surprisingly calm and elegant modern living space for a very pleased client.