A new use for the buildings and grounds needs to be found in order to support  the  investment required to rebuild the fire damaged structure. Returning the building to domestic dwellings is likely to be the most viable and sustainable use, and it is also consistent with the conservation of the heritage asset.

The  introduction  of  the  new  houses  within  the  grounds, carefully positioned and designed to enhance and benefit the garden setting, rather than be of detriment to the site makes  a  positive  contribution,  and  secures  long  term sustainability for the overall house and garden.  The design of the new structures within the gardens is that of  glass  pavilions,  floating  within  the  garden  landscape, with  ancillary  uses  such  as  garages  and  parking  buried underground.  The use of bunded landscaping to the houses that  have  the  greatest  impact  on  the  setting  will  ensure that they are integrated and disappear into the establishedlandscape setting.

The Main House

The  existing  property  was  built  in  3  phases  and  the conversion of the building into 3 separate houses roughly follows this footprint. The lower storeys of the first phase of the house were mostly untouched by the fire and the oldest part of the house to the east retains most of its roof.  This part of the house can be made into  one  half  of  a  semi  detached  property,  making use of the original front door. The central second phase of the original development was the  most  affected  by  the  fire  and  the  new  second  semi-detached property in this section will require rebuilding from the  first  floor  up.  The  addition  of  a new feature  entrance porch  to  the  west  will  give  greater  prominence  to  this property as an individual dwelling. The newest phase to the west was mostly untouched by the fire and with the demolition of the conservatory it can easily be converted to create a large single detached dwelling.

Concept Sketches

The Pool House

This  house  uses  existing  site  lines  and  structures  as  a base point.  The rear  of  the  building  sits on the  footprint of the existing pavilion, with the basement swimming pool following the line of the existing Victorian pool. The  glass  box  above,  housing  the  main  living  area cantilevers  out  over  the  ground  floor,  giving  panoramic views across the landscape.

The bedroom wing is earth sheltered with a top lit corridor in order to screen the house from the main building.

No. of beds      5

GIFA (excluding garage)  4,130sqft

The Out House

The Court House

This  property  sits  roughly  in  the  area  of  the  existing  swimming  pool, which is proposed to be demolished.  The design for this 5 bed property incorporates  a  secluded  internal  courtyard  to  give  additional  private garden space to this house as it sits on an area of site that is close to a number of other properties and heavily wooded areas; therefore scope for a garden is more limited than with the other new houses.

The Courtyard House

This  property  sits  roughly  in  the  area  of  the  existing  swimming  pool, which is proposed to be demolished.  The design for this 5 bed property incorporates  a  secluded  internal  courtyard  to  give  additional  private garden space to this house as it sits on an area of site that is close to a number of other properties and heavily wooded areas; therefore scope for a garden is more limited than with the other new houses.

The Cook House

The existing building housing the kitchens is in good condition and of a sufficient footprint to provide the opportunity for the conversion of the building to create a new 4 bed property. A white box is inserted at right angles into the roof at first floor level, creating a more usable space. In addition at right angles to the existing structure, a new garage creates an 'L' shape with a drive and lawn to the front.