How To Save an Old Building

[@Steve_W27]

Great job - I’m passionate about repurposing old buildings rather than building new, wherever possible 👍

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

Thank you

[@lazygardens]

That was an excellent repurposing project: 6 bedrooms added to the local rental supply, a more accessible pharmacy for the whole village, and a small office for someone. Not flashy, wins no awards, just gets the building back into use. Did you get to redesign the old pharmacy building?

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

No, the lease was taken over by a local shop.

[@edwardpickering9006]

Sometimes it's important to make sure that buildings like this are not left to decay, regardless of the cost. It's a great example of that period being modernised. We did something similar on a farm cottage for £150k - I may juat about get the money back in my lifetime, but it was a great project and the right thing to do!

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

Thanks for your comment, and well done on your project. How long did it take you from start to finish?

[@gm2407]

I think you did a great job with that. The top floor flat looks like a decent space to enjoy living in.

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

Thanks, it’s a cracking wee flat. There is a large skylight on the top floor landing, really floods the space with light.

[@gm2407]

@@RealLifeArchitecture Bungalow levels of space for that top floor. Lots of privacy for enjoying the flat.

[@johnkellett7797]

Appreciate the balance between cost and value. Like you I’d rather keep a building than demolish it, the budget limits caused by that choice lead to more innovative solutions and often different, but better, than those envisaged by the client! As you say ‘win-win’.

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

Thanks John

[@nicholaswaring8393]

Indeed, nice project nial. Similar to much of my work which earned me a reasonable living. Good, sustainable approach to building conservation, taking the opportunity for innovation. Im sure your client was appreciative.

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

Thanks Nicholas. I see the client regularly, he’s very happy.

[@jteau2239]

Nice project

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

Thank you

[@rex_havoc2966]

I hope in the future you show us how it turned out!

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

The photos at 8:53 show the finished interior of the hall and flats.

[@rex_havoc2966]

@@RealLifeArchitecture oh sorry! I didn’t associate those pics as the “after” pics for some reason. It came out great!

[@Srrrokka]

Have you ever worked on an old timber frame house? I'm very curious what challenges those pose in comparison to stone buildings 🤔