For those embarking on the housebuilding process, pragmatism is thought to be among the most valuable qualities – and so it proved with one particular project in East Devon.
Having grown up in the county, Louise Williams had been looking to build a house there for about 10 years, so when she came across a 1920s detached property on the outskirts of a pretty coastal town – though she thought the existing house unviable – the large garden and exceptional views told her this was somewhere she could create a home tailored to her own needs and lifestyle.
The stunning result won the Best Self-Build category in the Homebuilding & Renovating Awards 2025, in partnership with The Times and The Sunday Times. The judges described it as a "house that creates a sense of warmth through the carefully chosen materials that envelop this simple, traditional, yet contemporary form."
Project details
- Location East Devon
- Project Self-build detached
- Size of house 103sq m
- Build time 11 months
Early planning
When she met with architectural designer Vaughn Allington of New Space Architecture, Louise had already formed ideas of the type of house she had in mind to replace the existing one – namely a two-storey, three-bedroom home they jointly described as "Danish modern meets Devon longhouse".
"Louise was also keen that the new-build design should be led by the topography rather than doing extensive groundworks to meet the design," says Vaughn. "She was also keen to reuse what materials we could from the original house."
After several concept meetings between client and designer, with Louise very involved in the design process, planning was submitted and granted in August 2020. Following the completion of a technical design, a local contractor was selected and works duly began, starting with the demolition of the existing house.
At that point, Louise concluded that she would have to halt the build. "Due to the rising materials prices caused by Covid, it had become clear the build cost for the original design had become unfeasible once the builders’ detailed figures came in," she says.
"Circumstances had also changed during Covid and I no longer needed three bedrooms and a separate office. Instead of us compromising on the design, Vaughn and I agreed the best course of action would be to design something entirely different, simpler and smaller."
Material changes
As well as making greater financial sense, the redesign offered other practical benefits.
"The house that was demolished had been built very close to the older cottages on the perimeter of the original plot and was almost twice their height, overshadowing them," says Louise.
"The new smaller design followed the roofline of the neighbouring cottages and was stepped back away into the plot, so not visible when looking up the road. This also allowed the house bigger front and side gardens."
"After the demolition, it became clear that the number of terracotta roof tiles we’d salvaged wasn’t enough to cover the roof of the proposed new dwelling, so Louise opted for a Corten steel roof instead," says Vaughn.
The fact that there were a number of corrugated iron roofed agricultural buildings in the area meant there was no problem with planning permission. Delabole slate was chosen for the upper ground and first floor external walls as Louise had long admired them whenever she had seen them as hung tiles in Devon and Cornwall.
"We bought them unseen from a nearby reclamation yard and, luckily, they were in perfect condition," she says. Meanwhile, a combination of chert stone and clay brick add a new and slightly contemporary dimension to the look of the house.
Logistical problems
While full of praise for the experience and efficiency of the contractors, CW Build, Louise says there were still uncertain moments in the project, and one of these was during the laying of the polished concrete floor.
"Vaughn, CW Build and I made up the mix based on what we thought might look lighter and more terrazzo-like in colour and texture – real terrazzo was way out of my budget – and it was poured on spec," she says. "It was poured over the top of the underfloor heating so there was no room for error but, thankfully, it turned out really well."
The build itself wasn’t without its logistical problems. The site is on a sharp bend on a narrow, single-lane road at the end of a row of houses. The turning and manoeuvring of delivery vehicles was difficult and precluded the use of an off-site timber frame for the first floor, which is why it was stick built on site instead.
The build and plant took up most of the road frontage as well, meaning there was little space on site for the storage of materials.
From the architect
Vaughn Allington says, "I met Louise in 2019 and she had quite a strong view of what she wanted. She was always keen to knock down the existing structure and construct a new dwelling and was looking for quite a traditional-style, three-bedroom, detached home.
"She had a number of specific features that she wished to incorporate – such as a wide, shallow-pitch staircase, polished concrete and wide-plank oak floors, a rendered external finish, but with a softer ‘lime’ render finish achieved by not using metal beads, a spacious entrance hall, a compact kitchen and linear living accommodation. Louise was also keen that the new-build design was led by the topography rather than doing extensive groundworks to meet the design.
"The site was nestled inside the bend in the road on a hillside and, as such, posed a number of challenges – not only for the design, but also the build. The resulting form is that of a split-level ground floor allowing for a vaulted living space and partial first floor.
"This project is proof that a house does not need to be all about square feet – the selection of materials, planning of spaces and care in the build have all contributed to creating a real home."
Final thoughts
"While compact in terms of floor area, the tall ceiling in the living area gives a real sense of space," says Vaughn. "Another feature I try to introduce with my designs is that of being able to look out of windows in all four directions at some point in the dwelling.
"With this house, I particularly love the framed landscape view to the west. Although I’m biased, it felt like a home as soon as it was built, and while it’s more compact than originally planned, it still meets the original brief of ‘Danish modern meets Devon longhouse’."
Louise concurs: "It’s testament to the competence of the designer and builders that there was never a moment when I didn’t feel confident in this project. It’s exceeded all of my expectations."
If you enjoyed touring this property, check out this bright and airy oak-frame self-build or this riverside eco home built with local materials.
