"Sometimes half-measures won't work, it takes bold demolition and clever engineering to wrestle a building into something special ."

This property had incredible 360° panoramic views in a rural setting facing Mount Ventoux near Viason la Romaine in the Vaucluse. Good start.

However, the house was typical riot of small rooms, badly executed DIY and poor quality everything. The original property was in a classic ‘U’ shape and consisted of a simple stone building construction. Evidence suggested a much older building having been on the site, possibly even Roman given the age of the well.

The design brief was to reorganise the space to create a natural flow , re-establishing the original form of the building. Our design reflected the logic of the original ‘U’ shape and we established a focal point around a double height staircase at the center of the building as a point of distribution between the ‘wings’ of the property. We demolished elements added later that distorted from the envelope of the building including a block built garage and dilapidated workshop. The renovation called for significant demolition and make good.

Sometimes property renovation in old stone buildings has to be bold

Old stone buildings in France pose typical recurring challenges in renovation. Often, the floor plan reflects many small rooms. In the past, it was often easier to build small volumes with manageable spans that could be sourced from available timber and beams. Before modern central heating, large volumes were difficult to heat. Also, in rural settings the ground floor areas were often subdivided for animals and livestock. The result can be a challenge in renovation if the design calls for open plan living. Modern renovation in very old buildings normally demands a lot of structural intervention. And holes mean risk in construction. This renovation called for significant structural intervention including the complete removal of an internal floor to create a double height space for a feature staircase.

Structural engineering plans for a stone house renovation

Building engineers are clever. When the design is finished, it’s our engineers who step in to make it work and safe. The role of the building engineer in construction cannot be overstated and in property renovation is just as critical. The building engineers calculate the loading and make specific plans to direct the technical execution of important works. It’s all part of the insurance and due diligence to make sure the works are safe and competent.

Punching holes through 1M thick supporting walls, or demolishing entire floor platforms to create double height volumes is tricky and dangerous. In this project the engineering plans were significant because the design called for many openings and combined volumes. Every pink section on the drawings represent a structural opening, all requiring lintels, foundations or other structural works.

The builder has to follow the engineers plans. There’s no room for ‘gut-feel’ in construction.

Practical design insights:

• Dramatic double height feature staircase by removing an entire internal floor platform

• Logical focal point on original ‘U’ shaped building

• Underfloor heating on entire ground floor area

• 6 bedrooms and five bathrooms

• Sung with double height ceiling

• Two woodburning stoves

• Bespoke designed bathroom fixtures and specialist tadelakt finishes

This client was bold and creative in man-handling this building into a classic design which required significant and challenging engineering works. The result is a fabulous six bedroom five bathroom family home.