Shop and development site, Norwich
Two new town houses and a mixed use shop/house with restoration of a 17th century street frontage.
The two proposed new town houses.
This extremely constrained (but not small) site within the medieval city walls of Norwich comprises a narrow locally listed 17th century house, derelict 18th and 19th century buildings arranged around a small traditional 'Norwich Yard' and a stone mason's yard and warehouse (formerly a ladies boot factory), all disused and unoccupied for many years.
The proposals include restoring the 17th C street frontage and traditional timber framed gable to the roof, rebuilding the rear parts of the building and constructing a pair of new town houses in a contemporary style but with a 17th century feel.
The shopfront as existing and as proposed. The traditional appearance of the shop front will be retained and restored.
The project has many aspects to consider, such as green space, sunlight, effects on existing properties which were all detailed in the design and access statement sent to the local planning department.
A timber frame construction was initially considered for the new work but a space efficient masonry construction was finally opted for which provides a greater thermal mass for internal comfort and improved resistance to fire in such a densely built-up area. Construction had been delayed by the discovery of an early 18th century cellar beneath the site.
The site in progress.
In this case we have taken on some of the construction work ourselves. We believe that direct experience of construction is essential to producing well detailed and buildable designs.