This case study focuses on the Old Foundry House, a striking transformation project carried out under Permitted Development Change of Use (Offices to Residential). This route presented both creative opportunities and unique challenges for the Model Projects design team, requiring the entire scheme including the main house and six mews houses to be sensitively designed within the existing volume and character of the original Victorian structure.

The Old Foundry House is arranged over two floors. On the ground floor, a spacious entrance hallway with a feature staircase leads into a large open-plan kitchen, dining and family snug area. This level also includes a separate TV living room, a study, and a utility room, offering a versatile and functional layout for modern family life.

The open-plan living space flows effortlessly onto a rear garden and patio, with slate-effect porcelain tiles running from the interior to the outside through full-height sliding doors, creating a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living. The kitchen itself features a sleek, modern design with a large central island that anchors the space.

Upstairs, the galleried landing creates a sense of openness and light, giving access to four beautifully designed bedrooms. The first floor includes a generous master suite, a guest bedroom with ensuite, and two further bedrooms that share a well-appointed family bathroom.

A standout feature of the home is the abundance of natural light. All the ground floor living spaces and upstairs bedrooms benefit from south-facing windows, flooding each room with warmth and sunlight throughout the day.

Externally, the home retains much of its original charm and industrial character. Elements such as the original flint walls and the overall Victorian aesthetic of the building have been carefully preserved, resulting in a unique blend of heritage and contemporary design.

Design and Features

As you step into the Old Foundry House, one of the first striking features is the staircase and hallway. The staircase serves as a nod to the original foundry, with its bespoke black metal balustrade and stepped metal runners contrasting beautifully against the thick timber treads and handrail. This feature flows upwards, curving elegantly to form the upper landing. The hallway itself has dark slate-colored walls, which complement the light, boxed-shaped bookcases, creating a dramatic yet welcoming entrance.

The open-plan kitchen, dining, and family snug areas are designed with verticality in mind, opening up towards a vaulted ceiling at the far end. The space is elevated further with full-height glazing, exposed king truss beams, and a striking large pendant light that adds both functional and aesthetic appeal.

The master suite includes a standout feature: an internal Juliet balcony, which looks down over the open-plan space below. The metal balustrade mirrors the style of the staircase, reinforcing the industrial feel. The master bedroom itself is bathed in natural light, with glazing on three sides, and is accessed through a walk-in wardrobe. The ensuite is conveniently located just off the main bedroom, offering both luxury and privacy.

Each of the bedrooms is designed with partially vaulted ceilings, and are intersected by the original king truss beams. Interestingly, the design team chose not to shape the rooms around the beams but instead allowed them to intersect in random locations, preserving the raw industrial character while also creating unique, dynamic spaces.