Arwel House: A Remarkable Retrofit and Remodeling

Arwel House, a mid-twentieth-century brick-built house nestled in the Staffordshire countryside, has undergone a remarkable transformation. Originally constructed in the 1950s, the house had lost its charm over the years due to wear and unsightly alterations.

Gowercroft products used:

• Peveril Lift and Slide Doors
• Melbourne Doors
• Hardwick Casement Windows
• Accoya®

Initially considering demolition, the owners consulted architect Benjamin Machin, who proposed a more sustainable and cost-effective approach. Machin envisioned a retrofit and remodelling process that would highlight the house's character and unique details, re-establishing its connection with the surrounding gardens and agricultural landscape.

The interior rooms were refurbished, and a new two-story extension was added to provide additional living and bathroom space. The outdated veranda and sunroom at the front of the property were removed, along with their degraded PVC-u windows and joinery.

A striking garden room now graces the south-facing elevation, featuring an imposing white façade that interacts with the shadows cast by nearby trees. Gowercroft Joinery played a pivotal role in this transformation, manufacturing large timber-framed windows and sliding doors for the garden room. White timber-clad columns, reminiscent of the original veranda, complement the overall design.

Two covered external spaces adjacent to the garden room serve as pleasant sitting areas, bridging the gap between indoors and outdoors. Gowercroft's oversized timber-framed lift and slide patio doors, French doorsets, and classic casement windows flood the house with natural light. Their slim profiles harmonise with the surrounding materials and colours, seamlessly blending the transition from brick and quarry tiles to stone paving outside.

Throughout the project, one set of Peveril lift and slide doors, three Melbourne French doors, and 22 Hardwick casement windows were installed. Manufactured from sustainable Accoya® wood and equipped with energy-efficient double glazing, these windows and doors ensure a comfortable interior environment while requiring minimal maintenance.

Thanks to Benjamin Machin's bold design, Arwel House has been revitalised into a contemporary, light-filled, and inviting family home. The transformation has garnered love and appreciation from the entire family, breathing new life into this once tired and unremarkable 1950s house.

“Gowercroft’s windows and doors strike the right balance between low maintenance, energy efficiency and innovation and a heritage rooted in traditional joinery and craftsmanship. Their slim profiles have an elegant simplicity with carefully considered sightlines that complement the overall design.”

Benjamin Machin