Converting Historic Buildings

ProAktive www.selfbuildinsure.co.uk CONVERTING HISTORIC BUILDINGS Here we look at historic houses that have been converted into modern self build homes. Kent, United Kingdom THE BRAND NEW SELF OAST HOUSE Close up it is a modern home but from a distance it can be mistaken for a more traditional older home. Bumpers Oast near Tonbridge is in the design and style of an oast house, with round towers tapering to a familiar cone shape. The four towers are clad with contemporary shingles, graded in six shades with blue-grey at the top, reflecting the sky. Each of the towers are linked by a glass section, apart from the hidden fifth tower in the centre, which has a dramatic triple-height atrium drawing daylight down into the open-plan living space. West Sussex, United Kingdom THE ESTUARY WATERSIDE HOUSE This self build home sits perched on the edge of a steep rocky shore at Kingswear, with the estuary at Dartmoor facing it. This house was constructed using the same stone as the cliffs. Its towers and battlements match those of the centuries-old Dartmouth and Kingswear fortified castles. The property extends across four levels and has a swimming pool on the lower level. The floor above this has the kitchen and living area, along with a terrace. Two bedrooms and a library are located on the first floor and the cinema is on the top level. Cornwall, United Kingdom THE OUSE Award-winning architect Barry Briscoe designed this gleaming three-storey home. It features all the traits of the iconic style from a 100 years ago, including a large flat terrace and wide horizontal curved windows. One of the main advantages of the curved windows is that it provides a wider view of the coast. The house is very different to traditional homes with bedrooms on the ground floor and all other main rooms on higher levels in which to enjoy the seascapes. Sussex, United Kingdom THE MOATED CASTLE This self build medieval manor home in Braylsham Castle near Heathfield, Sussex used reclaimed stone and recycled stained glass. Professor John Mew and his wife Jo won a special homebuilding and renovation award in 2001 from the Telegraph for this exceptional self build project. The property was a ruined old cottage that now resembles a historic castle both on the inside and outside. SELF INSURANCE Before starting a self build or conversion project like the ones reviewed here, it is important to ensure that you have the right level of self build insurance in place to safeguard against any potential risks involved. ProAktive Self Build developed the first UK Self Build insurance policy in 1984. ProAktive are the industry leaders, with specialists available to discuss your project build, and insurance requirements. Visit www.selfbuildinsure.co.uk/self-build-insurance to find out more. ProAktive Doncaster: 01302 346 831 | Follow us O00 www.selfbuildinsure.co.uk