BLUE HOUSE
This deep retrofit of a house on the North Norfolk coast reconfigures a building once used as the village butcher’s shop.
A + S came to us with the need to heavily modernise a holiday home they had on the North Norfolk coast. Upon visiting the house, it was immediately obvious it was a locally important place, rooted in its immediate context with views of the staithe and its tidal, marshy landscape. The house had its own story to tell, a butcher shop back in its day, and was physically combined with its adjoining terrace into what is today known as Prospect House.
The brief was a deep retrofit, the kind where almost everything but the shell of the building was broken down and put back together in a different way. One which suited a large family with different friends and family visiting at different times of the year. A dormitory room for the kids, a clearer circulation route through the building but mainly reorienting the house north – where the coast lies and the best views are enjoyed.
Upon arriving at the house for the first time, the room facing the sea had windows at knee height and it was almost impossible to locate yourself in what is such a wild and ever changing landscape.
The Brancaster marshes are a special place, where mussels and oysters are found in the creeks and channels and enjoyed in restaurants all over the county. The main aim of the project was to open views but in a careful way which is not over-endulgent given the prevalence of large coastal properties nearby. We are proud that with a combined three years of design and construction work, the house almost looks unchanged externally. Physically and environmentally though, the house is completely modernised, using an air-source heat pump to fuel the house along with a deep retrofit and internal insulation throughout the existing house.
We worked in great detail for around three years to develop the design, work through a design which was palatable to the local Conservation Officer and then designing every room individually with a full interior design package as well as key finishes such as lighting within our scope. We co-ordinated information with electrical, plumbing, joiners, carpenters, decorators, plasterers and the main contractor, King & Company.
The clients allowed us the freedom to express ourselves as designers yet keeping the essence of the existing house. From the outside, aside from the new two storey gable end it would be hard to tell anyone had been there on site for a year and a half.
Blue House is a long-term renovation and sustainability-focused project that spanned three years, from the initial planning meetings in 2021 to its final completion. The project involved extensive structural work, conservation planning, and a shift towards renewable energy solutions.
Location: Brancaster Staithe, North Norfolk
Budget: £750k-1M
Status: Completed August 2024
Team: King&Company Contractor / Design Secure Structural Engineers / Naked Kitchens / Bespokecrete/ The fitted furniture company / Lorenzo Zandri Photographer
Press
Project Goals
- Renovate and future-proof the house for long-term family use.
- Address practical issues related to heating and environmental challenges.
- Transition from oil-based heating to a more sustainable system.
- Maintain a restrained yet carefully considered external appearance.
- Improve structural integrity while preserving key architectural elements.
Design and Implementation
- Worked closely with the local conservation officer to navigate planning restrictions.
- Addressed structural challenges, including poor existing brickwork and stonework.
- Removed the central chimney over several months due to structural fragility, requiring constant bracing.
- Managed party wall negotiations with the neighbor through mediation and collaboration.
Materials & Finishes
- Selected natural materials such as timber, stone tiles, and glass.
- Maintained a restrained material palette, with feature materials used selectively, particularly in bathrooms.
- Installed micro cement flooring through collaboration with specialist installers.
Key Elements
- A standout first-floor feature gable window offering views of the marshes.
- A focus on sustainability, reducing reliance on oil-based heating.
- Thoughtfully integrated design solutions to balance aesthetics with practicality.
Challenges
- Managing the timeline due to structural complications.
- Negotiating planning constraints and conservation requirements.
- Coordinating a large team of consultants, including heating engineers, joiners, carpenters, software engineers, and party wall surveyors.
Outcome
Blue House is now a comfortable, sustainable, and future-proof home. While externally modest, it integrates carefully considered details and durable materials suited to its setting. The project has been featured in Architects Journal and is expected to receive further recognition.
