Hertfordshire builder Trevor Hyatt not only created a stunning family home from a derelict church, but also built a lasting relationship with his clients' daughter!
Clients Carmen and Tony Redondo approached Linley Developments in Redbourn, when they bought a derelict Grade II listed church in Hertfordshire with planning permission for a four bedroom house.
Their dream was to create a warm, welcoming family home. This was the first time Trevor and his team had worked on a listed building or even a church, so as soon as they were taken on, they met with the local conservation officer and quickly understood his determination to retain as much of the original building as possible.
"As I was working with the local conservation officer, the clients gave me a leading role in the project from early on and allowed me to advise on design, materials and even lighting effects," said Trevor. "We chose chunky ornate oak staircases, had beautiful oak arched doors and stone windows made, installed underfloor heating throughout, made replacement stone parapets and took off the whole roof to install insulation and re-slate it."
The clients wanted a second floor gallery, and Trevor came up with a plan to dig down lower than the original floor to allow for head height below the ornate roof trusses which could not be removed.
When the conservation officer explained that roof lights could not be installed on the south side of the church as it looked out on to the village, Trevor suggested that his clients employ lighting specialists to help bring light into the building. Although this was expensive, it was money well spent. They now have light pouring into their bedroom through a glass floor in the gallery, fibre-optic lights set into the ceiling like stars, hidden lighting in the vaulted ceiling and uplighters set in stairs throughout the building. All agree that the effect is fantastic.
The client's daughter Carmen Redondo describes the home as a sanctuary: "As you walk in, you get a wonderfully calm, but warm feeling and when the light floods in through the stained glass window, it feels very special."
As Trevor says: "It was very unusual to have such free rein with a project and as such it was a fantastic job for us. As a company we are delighted with the result and I'm rather pleased on a personal level too," he adds coyly.
