Stone Cottage: Extension and retrofit of a brick and flint cottage
Abstract
In this paper, Liz Miller writes about her personal experience, with her husband Tom, of retrofitting and extending a brick and flint cottage to form a family home. As an architect, it is the realisation of a dream to work on one’s own house, and the paper explores the aims, design process, choices, experience of building and the final result. Taking this traditional Suffolk cottage, the paper describes the approach to both retrofit and new build, the materials that were used, the construction method, the relationship with the contractor, difficulties that were overcome through the process and the experience of living in the house. The project is an example of the power of good, simple, environmentally responsible design. The paper describes the decisions made to achieve a low-budget, comfortable, delightful home, carefully crafted for its inhabitants.
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Author's Biography
Elizabeth Miller studied and qualified as an Architect at Cambridge University, then amassed a breadth of experience working on larger historic buildings in Cambridge and London with Freeland Rees Roberts and Purcell Miller Tritton. She spent a happy year with Tom, her husband, working with David Lea in Snowdonia, learning about natural materials in contemporary design. After having two children, she joined Haysom Ward Miller, working alongside Tom as office manager, then architect. She has completed a number of health centre projects, working on improving the patient experience within the necessarily strict regulatory framework. Liz was architect for extensive upgrade work to the accommodation and public rooms at the Grade 2 listed Jockey Club in Newmarket and continues to enjoy the challenge of co-ordinating an effective project team. She enjoys local projects working with Cambridge University Colleges. She has a strong interest in educating the public in changes they can make to combat climate change. She leads by example, completing all food shopping over the last 20 years using a bicycle and trailer. She sings and plays the mandolin in a folk duo, using her songs to provoke thoughtfulness and debate.
Citation
Miller, Elizabeth (2023, December 1). Stone Cottage: Extension and retrofit of a brick and flint cottage. In the Journal of Building Survey, Appraisal & Valuation, Volume 12, Issue 3. https://doi.org/10.69554/DQIL2654.
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