Replacement Dwelling in Higher Kinnerton – Flintshire Architects

CONTEMPORARY TWISTS IN TRADITIONAL FLINTSHIRE – REPLACEMENT HOME IN OPEN COUNTRYSIDE

Ambition
An old cottage in Flintshire open countryside was the stage for this elegant replacement development. When Hunter Architects clients Bev and Rob found the property, they quickly fell in love with the setting but as they explored the possibility of extending they realised the limitations within.

Costly and inefficient to extend, the couple soon realised a new replacement dwelling on this existing plot would better suit their needs. Knocking it down and sympathetically rebuilding was the ultimate solution, resulting in this modern twist on a traditional Flintshire Welsh cottage.

Action
Located in open countryside, Flintshire County Council’s planning policies would normally deny an increase to this size of home. Experience, a vastly improved design scheme and sustainable endeavours ensured permission was secured for a substantially larger replacement property.

With this secured, the Rob & Bev had the opportunity to combine the best of both worlds: traditional design and modern convenience. Keen to make the house sustainable, solar panels, air source heat pumps, combined water storage and wood burning stoves discreetly and seamlessly achieved this ambition.

To create a comfortable, warm, light and open house that utilised the plot and views on all sides, the lower floor has no internal doors. Rather, it uses free standing furniture and walls to zone areas. The intention here was to connect and accommodate the family – with three growing children and an eye on the future, the Howells wanted a home that could adjust to host partners, grandchildren and friends in years to come.

This sense of connectivity is reinforced at either end of the house with a small double-height space – a focal point that joins the ground floor to the first. Here, the building generously accommodates four double bedrooms, each with an en-suite.

Transformation
This contemporary and sustainable reworking and replacement of a traditional Welsh cottage has delivered a large, modern family home that provides its residents with an energy-efficient, effortless living space now and in the future.

Summary: Replacement dwelling for Welsh cottage, Higher Kinnerton. Flintshire Architects

Photographs/Images © Hunter Architects & Planners