The School House

A modern home in a converted school

Biddestone

A modern home in a converted school

Project Information

Location

: Chippenham

Client

: Private

Status

: Completed 2014

Key Materials

: Pre-patinated zinc, Bath stone ashlar

More info
The Victorian village school in the middle of this very sensitive conservation area was converted to residential use and extended in 2000, but the works left a confused and unsatisfactory layout with a dark interior. The challenge was to redesign the house to improve the quality of the internal spaces and make more of the opportunities which the site offered. The large original schoolroom was isolated from the garden and the rest of the house, and this room was also rather too big for a comfortable domestic space. The key was to move the staircase into the old school hall to reduce its overall size and to improve the circulation generally.The design of the new elements is clear and legible, making extensive use of a pre patinated zinc cladding, and a very large dormer roof on the South facing side to both improve headroom and to bring more light into the building.

The Schoolhouse was nominated for two LABC West of England Awards: “Best Extension or Alteration to an Existing Building” and also “Best inclusive building”.
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I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Designscape - and have already done so. Their design for our Victorian school conversion has given us a modern house with 3 very large reception rooms that can either be fully open plan or each one separately closed off. We have views to the garden from all three reception rooms which was more than we hoped for and our staircase and hallway was moved to be in the least useful/attractive part of the house. Upstairs had been tiny with 3 small bedrooms and one bathroom and now, thanks to what must be the world's largest dormer window, we've 3 good double bedrooms, all ensuite and a large dressing room and spacious hallway/landing. The external aesthetic is gorgeous, blending the original Victorian stone walls and tiled roofs with zinc roofing, large modern windows and Bath ashlar stone columns. We're very proud of the appearance (which has stayed immaculate) and believe it adds to our conservation village.

The Client

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Designscape Architects Ltd, Bath Brewery, Toll Bridge Road, Bath, BA1 7DE

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The Victorian village school in the middle of this very sensitive conservation area was converted to residential use and extended in 2000, but the works left a confused and unsatisfactory layout with a dark interior. The challenge was to redesign the house to improve the quality of the internal spaces and make more of the opportunities which the site offered. The large original school room was isolated from the garden and the rest of the house, and this room was also rather too big for a comfortable domestic space. The key was to move the staircase into the old school hall to reduce its overall size and to improve the circulation generally..The design of the new elements is clear and legible, making extensive use of a pre patinated zinc cladding, and a very large dormer roof on the South facing side to both improve headroom and to bring more light into the building.