Lane Farm

The first involvement by Whitworth with this project was through a pre-purchase survey that I undertook for the couple who then bought the property. The property had been occupied by a family for many decades and was in need of extensive sensitive refurbishment and modernisation.  The property had a cement render applied in the past and evidence of Death Watch Beetle was found, as well as some movement of a brick skin away from the timber frame behind.  It was also found that a concealed gutter at the top of the brick skin had leaked causing damage to timber lintels.  Work included various repairs and re-rendering.

The property had a wing extending out from the main house, which comprised of a narrow kitchen and a series of utility spaces and a coal/log store.  The client’s aim was to convert these spaces into the hub of the house, with a large kitchen dining room and a new family room; this was achieved by extending the existing kitchen to the rear of the property and by converting the utility spaces and coal store into a family room. We were keen to introduce as much light as possible into the new spaces, so a fully glazed oak gable was constructed at the end of the family room with a large glazed screen to the kitchen/ dining room, overlooking part of the gardens and the pond.

Underfloor heating was laid throughout the new spaces and the AGA restored to working order. A Spiral Wine Cellar with automated glass lid was also installed. To improve the buildings thermal efficiency when existing render was stripped back to the timber frame it was repaired and then clad in external insulation board before it was re-rendered in lime.

The extension and conversion is hidden from the principal elevation of the property and from views from the lane, maintaining both the properties privacy and the appearance of the listed building.

The repairs included some careful frame repair, replacement of failed lintels, tying back the brick to the frame and re-rendering with lime render.