© James Morris
No one would likely have been surprised had Kate Darby and David Connor simply torn down the remains of the cottage, located 70 km west of Birmingham. The wooden construction had been buried under a thick layer of ivy and other plants for ages – without windows and doors, and with a roof that was almost completely open. Although the 18th-century building was listed, the authorities had already given the green light for its demolition on account of its derelict condition.
Nevertheless, the owners decided to develop it into a guest house and studio for their design and architecture business, for two main reasons. For one, they had grown quite fond of the Croft Lodge ruins, situated directly across from their family home. Secondly, building regulations meant that had they decided to erect an entirely new building, it could only have a much smaller footprint. (Roland Pawlitschko)
Nevertheless, the owners decided to develop it into a guest house and studio for their design and architecture business, for two main reasons. For one, they had grown quite fond of the Croft Lodge ruins, situated directly across from their family home. Secondly, building regulations meant that had they decided to erect an entirely new building, it could only have a much smaller footprint. (Roland Pawlitschko)