7 Bells to 7 Beds....

The tortuous planning process is over at last and our clients are happy to see 7 bells being knocked out of the old property to make way for their luxury 7-bed home.

This is no ordinary abode.  The centrepiece will be an all-glass elevator that will rise through a stainless steel staircase, leading all the way up through four floors to the roof terrace and stunning views over the North Cornish coast.  No, the client isn’t called William and there is no chocolate factory insight, despite an engineering masterpiece that would grace any Wonka emporium.

As well as the panorama from the roof, each of the seven bedrooms, the kitchen and the lounge will all have fabulous sea views.  It truly is a dream home and we have been working closely with the client for the last two years to bring it to fruition.

The original request was for a few alterations to the existing property, but it soon became apparent that this was no small vision and so we suggested that it would be more cost effective and liberating to demolish the old house and start afresh.  Our suggestion was further supported by the fact that new build housing is zero rated in terms of VAT, rather than the additional 20% for refurbishment.

However, bringing the dream alive has not been a quick or a simple process.  We spent a long time looking at a range of options to accommodate both the client’s requirements and also satisfy the concerns of the planners over the scale and appearance of the building.

Some of the neighbours were also rather apprehensive, so approval took lengthy debate with the Planning Committee, followed by a site visit from local Councillors before we were granted permission to move forward.  Of course, this had provided the client with a lot of additional thinking time, which meant some new ideas and hence design changes…  round two!

Fortunately, the second application ran more smoothly and provided an opportunity for us to refine the design process and come up with an improved solution.

As well as the elevator, there are many more state of the art features.  All of the windows are triple glazed and have integrated, automated blinds within the glazing. The large sliding doors to the front of the kitchen and lounge, as well as maximising light and views, lead out onto a landscaped garden with a sunken patio to provide privacy and shelter from the westerly breezes.  Plus, the home will also be fitted with the latest KNX home automation technology fitted by specialists Sagar Smart Homes.  Truly a home for the future.

This project is due for completion in December 2014 and the next twelve months are going to mean a huge team effort.  We are working closely with contractors J E Staceys, the Structural Engineers, John Grimes Partnership, the landscape Architect, Sarah Hill, M&E consultants EDP and lighting consultants Amos Lighting to create a very unique and very special home.

We will keep you posted on developments, challenges and final completion of this fantastic project, so watch this space.  J E Staceys have already got it off to a smashing start…

Next time….  Fabulous features and arboreal arbitration

Written by James Trewin

www.trewin-design.co.uk