projects

· individual private housing

	NEW RIVERSIDE HOUSE WITH ANNEXE SALTASH PASSAGE, DEVON McCaren Architecture were commissioned to create a dream home for father-and-son clients on a riverside plot of land belonging to the family. The new house comprises a two-storey, three-bedroom dwelling above a single-storey annexe. In recognition of the ecological sensitivity of the site, the house was designed to make the lightest possible impact on the landscape. Slender legs support the building and permit local wildlife to continue using their existing pathways on the riverbank. The accommodation above weaves in between the tree canopies preserving the local habitat. The steeply sloping, heavily wooded site presented a tough design challenge but by working closely with the clients, the local authority tree officer and an arboriculture consultant, we created a building which respects the integrity of the landscape without compromising on architectural style.

	RIVERSIDE HOUSE SALTASH PASSAGE, DEVON This luxury riverside house replaces an existing riverside dwelling that has reached the end of its useful life. The steeply sloping and heavily wooded site presented a design challenge to create a generous modern home, whilst maintaining the integrity of the landscape. The practice worked closely with local authority, arboriculture and ecological consultants to ensure that respect for the natural habitat formed the basis of the design ethic. The new dwelling consists of an arrangement of bedrooms with views to the estuary, accessed from open plan communal spaces. The spaces engage directly with the external environment through a series of glazed openings leading to sun terraces and cantilevered balconies. The ultra-high insulative specification of the roof, walls and windows responds to the long-term environmental impact of the dwelling, and the roof provides an opportunity for the provision of a natural habitat with a sedum planted landscape.

	COASTAL RESIDENCE SOUTH EAST CORNWALL McCarens brief was to design a luxury family home with living accommodation, four bedroom suites, hi-spec kitchen & bathrooms, ample storage and back of house accommodation. The most important design requirement was to take advantage of the magnificent sea views wherever possible. Materials and colour palette are in direct relation to the cliff site in which the new building sits. The choice of layered slate for a perimeter wall and the vertical stack elements of the building makes reference to the slate cliff; western red cedar timber weatherboarding articulates the curved walls which will weather to a muted grey; glazed walls express the honesty of the contemporary design and the sedum roof will help the building blend into the landscape when viewed from above. The colours, textures and finishes of the new dwelling allow the building to express its form while echoing its immediate natural environment.

	SEMI-CIRCULAR HOUSE LOOE, CORNWALL Our client approached McCaren Architecture to design a new house on a coastal site in South East Cornwall. Although the site already had planning permission for a new dwelling, they wished to investigate other options that would make the most of the panoramic ocean views. In plan, the external shell of the house forms a semi-circle facing towards the sea. At first floor level this unique form creates an open plan communal space with dramatic 130^o views of the ocean and surrounding landscape. On the ground floor are three bedrooms with en-suite facilities and direct access to a cantilevered timber sun terrace. Respect for the Art Deco influence in adjacent houses, helped to form the design principle, but modern green technologies also make this a home for the 21st century.

	COASTAL HOUSE DOWN THOMAS, DEVON Having investigated the option of altering and extending the existing house on this magnificent site, it was decided to demolish the building and build a new house perfectly tailored to suit the clients brief while taking full advantage of the panoramic view across Plymouth Sound. The 6,000 mile distance between McCaren Architecture and their clients in Johannesburg did not present any difficulties during the design process, with drawings and images being easily exchanged by email. The clients desire to maintain the bungalow imagery of the original property, despite the 50% increase in size, and their concerns about not obstructing the views of their neighbours, resulted in a low, wide building with most of the accommodation on the ground floor. The U-shape plan of the first floor encloses a roof terrace above the fully glazed dining room in the centre of the elevation.

	SPLIT-LEVEL SEMIS TOTNES, DEVON In spite of Planning Permission having initially been refused for a terrace of three properties, McCaren Architecture obtained detailed Planning Permission for three dwellings: a pair of 3-bedroom semi-detached houses for sale; and a detached eco-house for the client. The design of the semis was determined by the topography, orientation and the splendid views from the site over Totnes. The upside down design resulted in the houses having split-level, open-plan living/dining spaces running the full length of the building, with large windows that took advantage of passive solar gain into a sunspace at one end and the views over the town at the other. Although the Practice prepared detailed drawings and specifications and obtained tenders for the semis, the client subsequently decided to build them himself. The eventual sale of the semis funded his own timber-framed, straw bale house that he also built himself. Request a quote >

· extensions & alterations

	RIVERSIDE EXTENSION NORMANDY HILL, PLYMOUTH With our help, this once drab and dated concrete bungalow was transformed into a desirable modernist villa. The original property's two bedrooms, kitchen/dining room, living room, bathroom and study squeezed into a single storey did not provide adequate space to accommodate family life, so our brief was to make sympathetic alterations for maximum space gain. McCaren Architecture proposed a single storey extension to create a new open plan kitchen and living area upstairs, freeing the downstairs rooms for conversion to 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The new storey provides contemporary family living space with stunning panoramic views, both from inside and outside on the new terrace. We also re-sited the access to the house, reusing the original enclosed porch for storage, and creating a dramatic new double-height entrance hall from which views of the River Tamar are immediately visible, making the most of the property's enviable location.

	TWO PENTHOUSE ROOF TERRACES SUTTON HARBOUR, PLYMOUTH This project involved making alterations to two penthouses, providing each of the owners with a new roof terrace from which to admire panoramic views of Sutton Harbour and the Barbican. The design was carefully considered to support the case for making alterations in a sensitive Conservation Area, minimising the visual impact of the new balconies when viewed from the Barbican. For our clients, what was formerly a cramped mansard roof space, has been dramatically transformed into a contemporary crows nest from which to admire the stunning views.

	ALTERATIONS TO CHAPEL & SCHOOLHOUSE Nr. CALLINGTON, CORNWALL The owners of this beautiful Chapel and Schoolhouse near Callington approached McCaren for some advice on how to adapt the building to best meet the needs of their young family. A rather unimaginative original conversion, undertaken in the 1980s, had not maximised space or the dramatic impact of the building. Our re-planning gave the schoolhouse a magnificent double-height family room, a remodelled kitchen / living space, and two new bedrooms, all sensitively detailed in oak, natural stone and slate.

	ECO-RENOVATION HAYSTONE PLACE, PLYMOUTH McCaren were commissioned to design the eco-renovation of 9 Haystone Place, dividing the original Victorian house into two thermally efficient flats. Energy conservation and sustainability informed the specification across the project from construction materials to interior fit-out. Both homes now achieve an Energy Performance Rating B both in terms of Energy Efficiency and Environmental Impact. The fact that the building had been derelict for over ten years, and that it lies within the Stonehouse Conservation Area added a further dimension to the brief. McCaren Architecture made every effort to conserve the few remaining original features and to reinstate those which had been lost during previous refurbishments. This included the replacement of aluminium windows and uPVC doors with timber ones of a more appropriate design, and the reproduction of original window and door surrounds on the front elevation.

	FARMHOUSE EXTENSION HIGHER FERNWORTHY, DEVON The original farmhouse dates back to the early 19th century and had been subjected to several unsympathetic repairs, extensions and alterations throughout the 20th century. The clients required the addition of an annex to the property for an elderly relative and an extension to the farmhouse to provide contemporary accommodation for their large family. For the farmhouse, the glazed walls to the new lobby, kitchen and dining area introduced a closer link with the spectacular rural setting. A bridge link over the kitchen area created an exciting connection between the converted first floor accommodation in the existing farmhouse, and the new accommodation above the ground floor annex. Subtle alterations to the existing layout of the farmhouse created a more dynamic use of the existing traditional plan and provided a new circulation potential to fully integrate the new house as a whole.

	EXTENSION TO GRADE II LISTED BUILDING CALSTOCK, CORNWALL. Formerly a hotel, this property is now a private dwelling. The project involved replacing the detached 1970s hotel kitchen with a contemporary design which was an integral part of the ground floor layout; bringing the kitchen into the heart of the dwelling, but still taking full advantage of the views along the Tamar and Danescombe valleys. The form of the extension was inspired by the existing balcony at first floor level and the natural curve of the River. This project was Highly Commended in the Caradon Design Awards 2005. Request a quote >

· small works

	NEW SEASIDE CHALET WHITSAND BAY, CORNWALL Our clients purchased a ramshackle chalet at Whitsand Bay in 2006, and having spotted our recently constructed holiday chalet on a nearby site and commissioned us to design a similar replacement. The new chalet, a timber-framed, cedar-clad building, was designed with a significant amount of glazing to maximise the stunning views. The finished chalet comprises two bedrooms, a bathroom and a cosy kitchen/living room complete with wood burning stove.

	NEW SEASIDE CHALET WHITSAND BAY, CORNWALL An existing holiday chalet on the site was demolished and replaced with this new timber-framed, cedar-clad chalet, designed to take full advantage of the stunning panoramic view from Rame Head in the East to the Lizard in the West. The location of the chalet meant that careful consideration had to be given to the method of construction and the design of the glazing and external finishes. This resulted in a timber frame which was designed to be partly pre-fabricated off-site, and assembled by bolting together a number of plywood panels. The external finishes were selected to blend in with the local environment and to provide the chalet with relatively low levels of maintenance. Request a quote >

· developer housing

	DEVELOPMENT OF 10 APARTMENTS, TAVISTOCK, DEVON This commission presented an opportunity to design a significant building on the edge of Tavistock town centre in a very prominent location. The proposal replaces an existing dwelling on an under-utilized site with a development of 10 apartments. The new flats will have excellent views of the adjacent viaduct and the town. The site presently forms a raised plateau with retaining wall structures of up to 5.5m high. In order to reduce the visual impact of the development the existing plateau will be lowered, to accommodate a split level building with car park access at road level. Due to its prominent position, McCaren Architecture were involved in extensive consultation with the local Planning Department to produce a scheme that was respectful of the character of the area. Careful attention was paid to the surrounding urban townscape and vernacular, and the materials proposed for the construction include local slate and stone. The scheme was granted Planning Permission in April 2009.

	DEVELOPMENT OF 14 HOUSES, BOSCASTLE, CORNWALL This scheme for the redevelopment of the site of a former motor garage, provides 14 new dwellings for the village of Boscastle in North Cornwall. In recognition of the sensitive location, and local concerns that the scheme should reflect the organic character of a Cornish village, the traditional style adopted for this development makes reference to materials, forms and details typical of the immediate surroundings. McCaren Architecture created an informal arrangement of buildings of appropriate scale, but with a variety of form, and unified the scheme with the use of white rendered walls and natural slate to achieve overall coherence. Despite the limited space available, we aimed to create a village feel within the development by the grouping of the houses on the site in small terraces forming a village street. A large variety of different house-types as well as variations in fenestration, roof form and colour, help to achieve sympathy with the existing village setting. Planning permission was granted in 2008

	DEVELOPMENT OF 15 APARTMENTS PLYMOUTH, DEVON. The project involves the replacement of a former cinema and entertainments complex with eighteen self-contained apartments with private basement parking. The corner site, on a busy road junction just outside Plymouth City Centre, called for a landmark design which gave due prominence to the new building. The design incorporates both one and two bedroom units all individually designed and unique in plan. Red and blue brick were chosen for the facade to reflect the materials used in the adjacent bus depot and public house. The red brick is used to break up the external render, with a large glazed vertical element emphasizing the corner of the building. To achieve planning permission, the practice was involved in detailed consultation and negotiation with the local planning department to address issues of height, parking, refuse collection and social amenity.

	HOUSING SCHEME, 15 DWELLINGS CORNWALL This scheme for the redevelopment of a topographically challenging site provides 15 new dwellings in Cornwall. The intention of the design was to provide a high quality housing development sympathetic to the local character of the surrounding villages without resorting to pastiche a contemporary design that is sensitive to its context, but is not a copy of it. The layout of the site road and the houses was largely governed by the irregular shape of the site and the significant changes of level across it. These site constraints were seen as an opportunity to create an irregular but cohesive cluster of buildings and spaces. By providing new structural landscaping within the site, the intention was to give enclosure and focus to the external spaces where there is insufficient room to achieve this with the dwellings. Request a quote >

· listed buildings / conservation projects

	EXTENSION TO GRADE II LISTED RIVERSIDE HOUSE CALSTOCK, CORNWALL. Formerly a hotel, this property is now a private dwelling. The project involved replacing the detached 1970s hotel kitchen with a contemporary design which was an integral part of the ground floor layout; bringing the kitchen into the heart of the dwelling, but still taking full advantage of the views along the Tamar and Danescombe valleys. The form of the extension was inspired by the existing balcony at first floor level and the natural curve of the River. This project was Highly Commended in the Caradon Design Awards 2005.

	EXTENSION TO HEAD TEACHERS HOUSE LUCKETT CONSERVATION AREA, CORNWALL 2 STOREY EXTENSION The project involved adding a two storey extension to one end of a former Head Teachers House on the outskirts of Luckett in Cornwall. The fact that Luckett is in a Conservation Area, and indeed has its own Design Guide meant that there were lengthy negotiations with the Planners to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution. The agreed design had a front elevation which matched that of the adjoining school buildings, and a rear elevation that was designed in a more contemporary style with larger areas of glazing to take advantage of the views over the village and the open countryside beyond. The project was designed and built to a tight budget, and provided our clients with additional accommodation to meet the needs of their increasing family.

	INTERNAL ALTERATIONS TO GRADE II LISTED VILLA STOKE, PLYMOUTH. This project involved the extensive refurbishment of a large Grade II Listed semi-detached property in Stoke that had been sadly neglected by previous owners. A lack of repair and maintenance over a period of years had resulted in a number of significant structural and other defects which had to be addressed, some as a matter of urgency in order to safeguard the fabric of the building. The repairs included the provision of additional support to the roof structure and the replacement of all of the badly worn lead gutters. Delicate and lengthy negotiations with the Conservation Officer from the City Council were required to reach agreement on the extent and nature of the proposed alterations which ranged from the removal of walls and the re-planning of the basement to provide an open plan Kitchen and Dining Room to the replacement of the pvc-u windows with timber sliding sash frames. Request a quote >

· special needs housing

	EXTENSION TO RESIDENTIAL HOME GUNNISLAKE, CORNWALL The brief for this project was to design a large new extension and internal alterations to an existing Victorian property to provide accommodation for Young People with Learning Disabilities. Whilst designing the residential care home to current standards and individual special requirements of the Service Users, the Client wanted a comfortable, domestic feel rather than an institutional one. The extension is subservient to the period property both in height and width with the new and existing parts joined together by a narrower central circulation link element. The property is to be lived in as two smaller homes with one staff office and a single internal link door between the houses at first floor level. The improved and new accommodation, together with the established grounds in this beautiful and calm location will provide a safe, welcoming and robust home for the residents.

	CONVERSION OF GRADE II LISTED BUILDING TO RESIDENTIAL NURSING HOME HONICKNOWLE, PLYMOUTH The original brief for this project was to design a large new extension and internal alterations to an existing Grade II Listed former private dwelling which had fallen into some disrepair. In designing the building for use as a residential care home to the current standards, the Client wished to provide a comfortable, hotel-like environment as opposed to that of an institutional home.The original extension and alterations was completed in 1994, and provided a total of 34 ensuite bedrooms and associated accommodation. A main feature of the development was the new dayroom which provided a light and airy space for the residents and staff to gather in communal activates, as well as direct access to the large gardens. A further block was added in 2003, this providing another eight ensuite bedrooms and associated day space. Request a quote >

· community & health projects

	HAYE VALLEY THERAPY BUILDING CALLINGTON, CORNWALL In 2000 our client Mother Earth '98 started a major investigation known as the 'Haye Valley Project', which was intended to raise the profile of the Charity and to identify more sustainable ways of securing funding. The entire project is spread across three sites in the Callington area, the site at Haye Mill is the location for the New Therapy Building. The existing building on the site, in which counselling services and complementary therapies currently take place, is in very poor condition. The new building, which is not connected to the power grid, has been designed in accordance with the Trust's principles with regard to sustainability and energy efficiency. The building will only use the on-site hydro-electric power generated by the waterwheel. The external envelope will be highly insulated and the building will be heated by solar power only, gathered and controlled by the hydro-electricity.

	SELF BUILD CLASSROOM PLYMOUTH, DEVON The Self-Build Classroom was conceived as a demonstration project for the RIBAs Architecture Week in 2002. The design of the building was based on the approach developed by Walter Segal in the 1970s and which used a simple timber-frame suitable for use by self-builders and others with low skills bases. The project involved working with the Tamar Education Business Partnership and students from Parkside Community Technology College. Using the initial group of around 15 students and a small number of adult helpers, the basic timber frame was erected in less than a week. By the time it was completed a total of around 55 students had been directly involved. The building has a number of environmentally sustainable elements including a grass roof, solar panels and a wind turbine. The new classroom provides accommodation for the school and community groups and is also a valuable learning resource for demonstrating the principles of environmentally sustainable design.

	COMMUNITY CENTRE KEYHAM, PLYMOUTH, DEVON The Keyham Green Places Project was one of a number of schemes undertaken by the Plymouth-based Community Regeneration of Outreach Projects. Following initial involvement with staff and students from the School of Architecture, a public exhibition and a lengthy consultation process, McCaren Architecture were selected to prepare designs for the Community Resource building and the adjacent site.The aim of the project was to provide a much-needed resource for the local community while breathing new life into old allotments which had fallen into neglect through under use over a number of years. The new L-shaped single-storey building sits into the landscaped gardens with all of the main activity areas opening on to a small courtyard which in turn links to the gardens beyond. Despite significant changes in level across the site, a major consideration in the design for the building and gardens was that all areas should be fully accessible to disabled people.

	SALVATION ARMY HALL PLYMOUTH, DEVON The site for this development was the existing Salvation Army facility in Morice Town. This project involved the demolition of the original toilet and boiler block, and the provision of a new Community Room and associated facilities within the inner courtyard. In spite of significantly increasing the footprint of the building, the design retained a small glazed courtyard which was both a focal point visible from various parts of the building, and a source of natural light and ventilation. Another major design consideration was the need to make the entire building fully accessible to disabled people. This was particularly difficult as the building is on a sloping site and originally had five different floor levels. Drawing on our Access expertise, ramped corridors, a platform lift, and upgraded toilet facilities were designed and installed to meet the needs of wheelchair users and other disabled people.

	EXTENSION TO DENTAL SURGERY CROWNHILL, PLYMOUTH Following a feasibility study which examined options for increasing the number of surgeries and patient facilities within the Dental Practice, a single storey extension was built along Meavy Way at the rear of the existing building. The extension provides a new bright and airy reception and waiting room for patients, using natural materials such as terracotta floor tiles and stained hardwood joinery. As well as creating a new accessible entrance, the new extension houses disabled persons toilet facilities, a small play area for children and a room for x-ray equipment.On the staff side of the reception counter, the design provides a greatly increased storage area for patient records, a staff room and a secure area for medicines and other valuables. The re-planning of the existing building provided two additional surgeries, enabling income to be generated to offset building costs. Request a quote >

· interior design

Alongside McCaren Architecture and McCaren Access, McCaren Interiors exists to offer a more specialised consultancy and design service in the field of Interior Design. Our aim is to establish a close working relationship with our Clients to develop their ideas and visions translate into the creation of a unique and imaginative spaces.

McCaren Interiors offers modern, stylish design solutions for interior spaces within residential, commercial and educational settings. While Interior Design is normally provided as an additional service to the architectural commission on a specific building, McCaren Interiors can also work as part of a Design Team to offer this service to other architects, surveyors and designers.

For Residential projects, the service can range from the specification of individual items to a full service which includes recommendations on fittings and finishes for entire dwellings. On Commercial projects, in addition to advice on colour schemes and finishes, the services can range from the spatial planning of office buildings to furniture specification and advice on signage.

For more information on our Interior Design projects click here to visit : mccaren interiors.