Manus House

An early 19th Century thatched cottage that had a B1 listing attached and was inherited by our client. The client was concerned that the listing would prevent them from enlarging the cottage to provide adequate modern accommodation for their expanding family. A previous agent had sought to redevelop the site but had been refused leaving the owner in the situation of being unaware if any works could be carried out matching their aspirations.

BMA discussed the brief with the client and developed a concept that ensured that it met with the policies set out by NIEA and secured the approved for the expansion of a farm cluster. The use of contemporary materials juxtaposition to the traditional master craft skills exhibited in the listed cottage heightened the interplay of interventions so that future generations would be clear on the architectural development of the cottage.