Reid Architects
Projects
Asmus Farm, Private House
Reid Architects is designing a house for an Urban Splash Director in Bolton, Lancashire with a brief to provide open and ‘joined up’ family living.
The site is part of what was originally a working farm and the new house will make use of the existing fire damaged shell of the original farm house. The form of the house as it was last used is grown from the use of 2 stone built structures with a brick building linking the two. Extensive damage was caused by the fire and the masonry elements only remain sound.
Although on the verge of a decision to demolish entirely it is agreed with the client that the scheme will benefit from at least partial retention. The scheme now proposes the demolition of the newer brick part leaving the two stone shells of what were once independent buildings.
The new design knits a ‘tee’ shaped new build element between the existing stone parts to re-create a connection. This allows the introduction of a flexibility in layout that previously could not exist and the establishment, in the crossbar of the tee, a buffer against the common access road to the rear. This buffer contains all the ancillary and wet accommodation as well as the car garage leaving the views out into the garden and distance as unencumbered as possible.
The new part contains a high proportion of opening glazed screens as external envelope allowing a seamless connection to the garden and makes the best of the opportunity for views. Minor modifications to the existing stone elements to increase the percentage of glazed opening also contributes to the uniformly high quality aspect of all living and sleeping rooms.