This Grade II listed manor is located in the Dartmoor National Park and was one of 16 farms listed in the Doomsday survey. The buildings on the estate date back to the 1500’s, so any proposed changes needed to be carefully considered in relation to both heritage and setting.
What did we do? We were asked to maximise the potential of the unique location of the manor, which had seen many changes of use over the past 100 years. The efficiency of the internal layout also needed improving.
The project entailed a complete review of the estate, to bring a more coherent use to each of the buildings and how they interact with each other and the surrounding landscape.
This resulted in an internal redesign, including the creation of a glazed courtyard to utilise unused space and bring in light. We also added a basement cinema room, an oak garden room and an internal bridge which links the bedrooms with a new pool house.
Externally, we introduced a heated natural pool which is filtered by reeds to avoid the overuse of chemicals and potential pollution issues. It is heated via the renewable electricity produced by the regenerated on-site water wheel on the River Teign.
A ‘radiator’ fin system was designed and added to the leat that feeds the water wheel. This takes a few degrees out of the mains supply before it then heads to the storage system to be heated by the electric emersion powered by the water wheel.
We retrofitted the old barns to hold two large hot water cylinders, and reinstated the cobbled driveway to allow insulated pipes to be taken to the main building.
The electricity provided by the water wheel is enough to heat and power the entire house, as well as heat the outdoor pool to 28 degrees. It has a wood chip boiler as a back-up.
The pool house also has a gym and underground cinema. We also brought back into use the kitchen garden to grow produce for the family.
We were responsible for the planning strategy, conservation advice and architectural design across the project.
Why did we re-use the buildings? Each building within the estate and grounds is of historic importance. Due to the listed property being of traditional construction, we took a ‘fabric first’ and whole-house approach to ensure thermal efficiency and resilience to water/moisture ingress. We conducted a conservation heritage fabric assessment to look at suitable options to improve passive insulation measures and window replacement. Given the limited scope for fabric improvements, conservation repairs were undertaken and the energy supply was upgraded for provision to the grid.
How did our client benefit? There is a well-established link between heritage and happiness, so the effects of our work will extend beyond the purely aesthetic or historic. By making the most of the inside and outdoor spaces, our client can enjoy the old and new alike.
