Doubling up

Emma and Richard Daw took pleasure in painstakingly restoring and extending a former shepherd's shelter on the north Norfolk coastline

- Alison Wall

HOMEOWNERS Emma and Richard Daw

LOCATION North Norfolk coast

BUILD TIME 14 months

SIZE Original house: 125m²; extension: 165m²

CONSTRUCTION Steel frame

When Emma Daw and her husband Richard discovered a run-down cottage on the north Norfolk coast, they instantly recognised its potential. Luckily, they were the only ones to put in an offer on the property.

“Even though the property was basically sound, there was so much that needed doing,” says Emma. “But we could see the possibilities it offered because of its location on the coast and the fact that it was a sweet little cottage with lots of character.”

The couple had already renovated a house in London, so they had a fair idea of what they were taking on. Nevertheless, it would take determination and vision to renovate and extend a run-down and badly extended cottage that started life as a temporary shelter for shepherds travelling across the marshes.

Finding it hard to appoint a suitable local architect to take on the work, the project stalled until, on the recommendation of Emma’s sister, they appointed Cambridge-based Snell David Architects, who have a great reputation in north Norfolk.

CONTEMPORARY WING

Early thoughts of minor remodelling and renovation were eventually upgraded in favour of much more ambitious plans to completely refurbish and extend the cottage. At the heart of the new design is a contemporary barn-like wing that mirrors the outline and proportions of the original cottage, housing a large open-plan kitchen/dining area and a living room above with views towards the coast.