Conversion of the original building to flats and addition of four new homes.

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The Elms, Redruth

The Elms was within the Conservation Area in a significant position with a large area of land around it.  The surrounding area beyond the mature trees and hedge growth is mostly residential.

Regrettably, the property had suffered as a consequence of ill considered, but reversible, alterations whilst being used as an administration building.  These extensions had been carried out with render and blockwork, and some timber cladding, which was quite unsightly.  The condition of The Elms was surprisingly good behind the alterations, probably because it was so very well built originally.

The concept for redevelopment of The Elms is that the existing timber framed building shall be removed, the unfortunate extensions to The Elms be taken away and the original fenestration and elevational treatments restored.  The original house will be converted into flats.  The new development in the surrounding garden provides for a mix of single and two storey houses set in an informal manner around the open space created on the side of the existing Elms property.

The loose arrangement of differing heights of units are all very subservient to the dominant existing building whilst the detailing of gables, the two-storey bays with multi faceted hipped roof arrangements, the rendered wall finish with a wood float render on the upper storey and a bold rusticated render to the lower storey all matching the detailing not only of The Elms, but also in the more significant properties in the adjoining street scene.

The approach to converting The Elms to low occupancy residential use is a very simple one in that involves restoring The Elms to its original configuration and utilising the existing internal spaces for residential accommodation in a totally reversible manner.