We were approached to look at an existing 1950s property opposite the remains of St. Mary’s Abbey in York. The house had previously been extended in an ad-hoc manner, creating a suboptimal sequence of spaces which did not engage with the substantial garden.

The site is within the Central Area of Archaeological Importance and Central Core Conservation Area. A wall enclosing the remains of St. Mary’s Abbey runs opposite the house, and now forms a wall of the Botanic Garden at the Museum.

Care was taken to preserve the hidden and private nature of the house, a quality which is remarkable given its central location. Existing single storey outbuildings and low-quality extensions were removed. Extensions and alterations were carried out with a consistent palette of materials which enable the whole to cohere.

A new single storey extension extends out from the main house and wrapping around the side of the house, dividing the outside space into two areas of different character and providing living accommodation with full height glazing onto the gardens.

Alterations were carried out in a restrained palette of long format handmade bricks, vertical timber fins, and dark standing seam zinc.

The existing fabric was upgraded with internal insulated linings, roof insulation, and new high performance fenestration. The existing ground floor was replaced with a new insulated slab.