Master Builder of the Year Overall Winner 2007 

The FMB congratulates the Master Builder of the Year 2007, Bybridge Construction, who scooped this year's title for a gem of a project, breathing life back into a former Wesleyan Chapel. The winner of the Small Renovation Projects category rarely goes on to take the top prize, but the care and attention to detail lavished on this development won the judges' unreserved approval.

 

Working within the twin restrictions of a tight budget and a strict conservation area, Bybridge Construction restored the building's delightful exterior and completely reconstructed the interior to create a spectacular guesthouse in glass, wood and brushed stainless steel. The elated owner is already using the Bybridge team on her next project.

 

Dr Victoria (Vicky) Hunt had a very specific vision when she embarked on restoring the shell of a 1928 Wesleyan Chapel at the bottom of her garden. Not only did she want to show that you can create something very contemporary within an old shell without destroying the character of the place, but also wanted to use specific materials to bring the outside in and the inside out.

The partnership between architect Juliet Coleman and Bucknell builders Bybridge Construction produced a home that more than matched her vision.
"I couldn't recommend them more highly and have already booked them for my next project" Victoria said. Starting with a rough shell, a tight budget and some highly ambitious plans in a strict conservation area, Bybridge Construction and the architect had their work cut out. They completely reconstructed the interior of what had been a skeleton of a building, creating a spectacular one-bedroom guesthouse in glass, wood and brushed stainless steel, with the stream and pond as the exterior focus.

 

In her bid to create fluid living, Vicky specified light white oak for staircase, flooring and panelling, leading to a light glass room with floor lighting, continuing out on to the terrace, down steps and then into the pond with the same lighting underwater.

"With walls that were over two feet thick in some places and uneven in others, the carpenter Adrian had to create wall panels and book cases on site to curve round the strange wall shapes," Vicky said.

Bybridge Director Mark Gaul said the biggest challenge was the site itself. Set on a hill, next to a stream, it was difficult getting materials to the site and then storing them. He also explained the challenge of moving the huge glass panels Victoria wanted as balustrades on the stairs and also on the landing, to create as much light as possible. "It was a tough, but interesting job. We enjoyed the build and are so chuffed with the end result," Mark added.

 

Set in a conservation area, the architect and Bybridge Construction worked closely with South Oxfordshire District Council to ensure they abided by their conservation rules and regulations. Environmental issues were also high on the client's wish-list, to add to the challenges. The Chapel now incorporates efficient underfloor heating, low voltage lighting throughout, an energy efficient boiler and individual thermostats on every radiator. The final addition was a wood-burning stove.

The Stream House Chapel is set in the garden of Vicky's family house where she and her four older children lived throughout the build. The all-important relationship with the builders was fantastic. Although often abroad, Victoria ran her business, which provides "barefoot" medical training for village women in Africa, from home throughout the build.

At a final cost of £72,000, the completion of this stunning one-bedroomed guest house prompted Vicky to buy the one next door and start again. Needless to say, Bybridge Builders is already working on this new project, which includes a heat pump running from the stream.