Harewood Road, Collingham - From Rot to Renewal: A Contemporary Rebuild

The client purchased a dilapidated 1970s timber-framed bungalow on Harewood Road in Collingham and approached MAS Design Consultants to develop his ideas and secure Planning and Building Regulations approval.

The sloping site sits significantly higher at the southern entrance and drops away toward the river to the north, a condition that later introduced challenges during construction, including ground instability and minor landslides during periods of heavy rain.

The client’s initial brief was to add a first floor and a single-storey rear extension to create a five-bedroom family home. Although the scheme received local authority approval, the contractor’s strip-out works revealed extensive rot and a structurally unsound building that required near-total demolition. The unstable stone- and timber-clad external walls were dismantled and rebuilt on new concrete strip footings.

The redesign retained stone at ground level to reflect the original elevations, but replaced the former timber cladding with smooth white render above, giving the home a more contemporary aesthetic. This was complemented by anthracite grey aluminium-framed windows and doors.

Sustainability was a key consideration throughout the reconstruction, with the installation of air-source heat pumps, MVHR, and roof-mounted solar panels to significantly improve energy performance.

Following more than twelve months on site, the property was fully rebuilt, incorporating the new first floor, a generous rear extension, and an external terrace above – successfully transforming the once-dilapidated bungalow into a modern, efficient family home.

Also featured in: From Rot to Renewal: A Contemporary Rebuild - Architecture Vogue Magazine