"Tear-down of a 1970s bungalow reveal's contemporary abode boasting eco-friendly elements - exploring the transformed, beautiful residence"
In a South Yorkshire town, Stephen and Helen Surtees have transformed a dated 1970s two-bedroom bungalow into a stunning, contemporary five-bedroom home. Their journey began with a vision to create their ideal living space, replacing the old bungalow with a modern, minimalist masterpiece.
The Surtees chose local architect Andy Thomas from Thread Architects, who had been involved in the project 10 years earlier. His experience and familiarity with the site proved invaluable in navigating the challenges of the self-build bungalow renovation, particularly amid ongoing building material shortages.
Building shortages have become a common challenge in renovation and self-build projects. Architects can help mitigate this by advising on material alternatives without compromising structural integrity or design aesthetics, navigating supplier networks, and incorporating flexibility into design and scheduling.
The Surtees' home, inspired by Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona Pavilion, features a contemporary design with a split-level space, large sliding doors, floor-to-ceiling glazing, and an open-plan kitchen diner. The kitchen links externally to an upper terrace with a barbecue outdoor kitchen, one of two outdoor entertaining areas in the house.
The sunken patio leads off the main living area, and stepping stones across an outdoor pool lead to the garden room. The main bedroom includes a dressing area, and one bedroom doubles up as a home office. The bathroom has playful design touches, adding a touch of personality to the minimalist feel.
The house is built with sustainable and thermally efficient materials, including structurally insulated panels, locally sourced ashlar Hampole fine limestone, robust buff brickwork, and natural slate. The home's futureproofing features include home automation, an eco heating system, electric Velux windows, and automatic motion sensor lighting.
The chosen design was one of three maquette models presented by Andy Thomas, and the planners approved the design, although the frontage had to be smaller than the Surtees had hoped. The demolition of the original bungalow began in the first week of lockdown and was initially stop-start due to unclear government guidelines.
Despite the challenges, the Surtees remained committed to their project. They did not live on site during the build and rented a place 10 miles away. Material shortages towards the end of the build were the only significant challenges faced. However, the close collaboration between the architect, builder, and client helped keep renovation budgets controlled and timelines reasonable.
In the end, the Surtees' self-build bungalow renovation was a success. Their home is not just a testament to their vision but also to the importance of choosing the right architect for a project's success. The architect became more than just a designer; they were a coordinator and problem-solver, ensuring the project was completed despite the challenges posed by building material shortages.
- Stephen and Helen Surtees' renovated home in South Yorkshire features a loft that doubles as a home office.
- The Surtees' home incorporates large sliding doors, allowing for effortless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces.
- The Surtees' kitchen is open-plan and links externally to an upper terrace with a barbecue outdoor kitchen.
- The bathroom in the Surtees' home has a sunken tub and playful design touches to add personality to the minimalist feel.
- The Surtees' home is built with sustainable materials, including structurally insulated panels and locally sourced Hampole fine limestone.
- The Surtees chose architect Andy Thomas from Thread Architects, who helped navigate the challenges of the self-build bungalow renovation amid building material shortages.
- The Surtees' home, inspired by Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona Pavilion, boasts floor-to-ceiling glazing and an open-plan kitchen diner.
- The Surtees' home features an eco heating system and automatic motion sensor lighting, promoting sustainable living and energy efficiency.
- The Surtees' chosen design for their home-and-garden project was one of three maquette models presented by architect Andy Thomas.
- The Surtees' self-build bungalow renovation project, despite its challenges, was completed on schedule and within budget thanks to close collaboration between the architect, builder, and client.
- A guide for those considering a home-improvement project, whether a self-build or renovation, is to choose an experienced architect who can offer ideas on building materials, design, and coordination to ensure a successful project completion.
