Devon

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2019/03/IMG_7536-Edit-Edit.jpg" alt="blue sofas yellow cushions flowers exposed beams" class="wp-image-13756" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2019/03/IMG_7536-Edit-Edit.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2019/03/IMG_7536-Edit-Edit-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2019/03/IMG_7536-Edit-Edit-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2019/03/IMG_7536-Edit-Edit-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Stay at Gitcombe Retreat in South Devon for self-build inspo</figcaption></figure>



Twenty five years &#8211; it can&#8217;t be, surely?! And in all that time, lockdown not withstanding, our passion for building our own homes has seen no sign of abating. With climate change concerns and property prices at a premium, self-build offers potential for creating efficient contemporary homes while using natural sustainable materials, such as timber frames, in a style and a price to suit your budget. 



Here are three we&#8217;d happily move into tomorrow, all designed by local award-winners, <a href="https://www.roderickjamesarchitects.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Roderick James Architects</a>, including one near Dartmouth (with a hot tub) which you can book for a sumptuous staycation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-barn-living">1/ Barn living</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/gitcombe-exterior-1000x667.jpeg" alt="Roderick James Architects barn design Devon " class="wp-image-69959" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/gitcombe-exterior-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/gitcombe-exterior-800x534.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/gitcombe-exterior-768x513.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/gitcombe-exterior.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pic credits Matthew Heritage and Steven Haywood</figcaption></figure>



This contemporary holiday rental in South Devon, <a href="https://www.gitcombe.co.uk/cottages/gitcombe-retreat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gitcombe Retreat</a>, was dreamt up to replace an existing, but much smaller building, with the added challenge of a steeply sloping site. The architects came up with a two-storey design built into the slope, unobtrusively bedding the structure into the landscape, complete with exposed green oak frame and contemporary full-height joinery screens to the external walls.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="900" height="600" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/gitcombe-gable.jpeg" alt="living area of Roderick James Architects barn design Devon " class="wp-image-69949" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/gitcombe-gable.jpeg 900w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/gitcombe-gable-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/gitcombe-gable-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pic credits Matthew Heritage and Steven Haywood</figcaption></figure>



While it appears like a single storey building from the outside, the Tardis-like structure is configured as reverse living. The top floor houses an open plan kitchen, dining and living space with an exposed green oak frame soaring up into the rafters and a contemporary full-height gable windows to max out on those verdant views.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="900" height="600" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/gitcombe-bedroom.jpeg" alt="Gitcombe Retreat bedroom Roderick James Architects barn design Devon " class="wp-image-69954" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/gitcombe-bedroom.jpeg 900w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/gitcombe-bedroom-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/gitcombe-bedroom-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pic credits Matthew Heritage and Steven Haywood</figcaption></figure>



At ground level, the simple Scandi-style bedrooms and en suite let the natural materials of oak and stone flooring set the tone, keeping them cool in the summer. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/gitocmbe-patio-1000x750.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-69957" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/gitocmbe-patio-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/gitocmbe-patio-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/gitocmbe-patio-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/09/gitocmbe-patio.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pic credits Matthew Heritage and Steven Haywood</figcaption></figure>



Outside, a traditional oak balcony doubles as a place to sit with your morning coffee and solar shading for the bedrooms beneath. Clever, eh? And it&#8217;s not just us who thinks so. Gitcombe Retreat was awarded The Daily Telegraph Homebuilding &amp; Renovating’s Highly Commended Best Traditional Style Self-Build in 2019. Go see it for yourself!



<a href="https://www.roderickjamesarchitects.com/gitcombe-retreat">FIND OUT MORE</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-minimalist-beach-house-style">2/ Minimalist beach house style</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/beach-house-1000x667.jpeg" alt="Roderick James Architects beach house design Devon " class="wp-image-70159" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/beach-house-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/beach-house-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/beach-house-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/beach-house.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit Marchand Petit</figcaption></figure>



Sunny Salcombe *sigh* &#8211; who wouldn&#8217;t want to roll out of bed in a beach house like this one? Both hands up if you love North Sands!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/beach-house2.jpeg" alt="Roderick James Architects beach house design Devon " class="wp-image-70164" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/beach-house2.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/beach-house2-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/beach-house2-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/beach-house2-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit Marchand Petit</figcaption></figure>



But like many coastal areas, this part of Salcombe is steep, giving the architects the tricky problem of designing a functional home on the side of a slope while maintaining their million pound-plus views. For the exterior, the solution was the use of harmonious wood, stainless steel and and a living sedum roof for the exterior helps to blend the property into the surrounding landscape.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/beachhouse-living-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Beach House Salcombe designed by Roderick Jame Architects " class="wp-image-70163" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/beachhouse-living-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/beachhouse-living-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/beachhouse-living-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/beachhouse-living.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit Marchand Petit</figcaption></figure>



For the interior, the answer was to create an &#8216;upside-down&#8217; house, with a balconied living area on the top floor flooded with light from floor to ceiling windows and bedrooms below. We&#8217;re loving that sail over the terrace which gives a modicum of shade and rain cover while adding to the maritime vibe. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/beach-house3-1000x667.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-70166" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/beach-house3-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/beach-house3-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/beach-house3-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/beach-house3.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit Marchand Petit</figcaption></figure>



Check out those sleek boat-like curves and statement lamp on the landing, while the curving bay window with oak mullions is a nod to the harbour town&#8217;s Edwardian architecture. Lighthouse vibes, we say.



<a href="https://www.roderickjamesarchitects.com/the-beach-house" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FIND OUT MORE</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-post-industrial-conversion">3/ Post industrial conversion</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="900" height="600" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/treyard-1.jpeg" alt="Treyard conversion by Roderick James Architects " class="wp-image-70174" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/treyard-1.jpeg 900w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/treyard-1-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/treyard-1-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></figure>



You&#8217;d never guess, but behind this self-build close to the River Tamar, is a jaw-dropping conversion which started life as a jumble of buildings and stables on the site of a former Victorian smelting works. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="900" height="600" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/treyard-back.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-70176" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/treyard-back.jpeg 900w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/treyard-back-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/treyard-back-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></figure>



While not listed, the property sits in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a World Heritage Site, requiring sensitive handling by the architects to work closely with the local conservation officer for planning consent. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="900" height="600" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/treyard-3.jpeg" alt="timber frame living area designed by Roderick James Architects " class="wp-image-70179" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/treyard-3.jpeg 900w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/treyard-3-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/treyard-3-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></figure>



The original structure was repaired followed by an extensive programme of renovations to the interior, including the insertion of a two-storey Carpenter Oak frame and this cathedral-like oak screen between the kitchen and dining room.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="900" height="600" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/treyard-4.jpeg" alt="timber frame dining area designed by Roderick James Architects " class="wp-image-70182" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/treyard-4.jpeg 900w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/treyard-4-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/10/treyard-4-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></figure>



The clever design marries the post-industrial heritage and tricky curvy corners &#8211; which incidentally used to house the village post office &#8211; with up-to-the-minute materials, including zinc roofing to the dormers. Sturdy posts and pillars, combine new oak with the original yard gates and stone pillars, all guided by old photos.



<a href="https://www.roderickjamesarchitects.com/treyard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FIND OUT MORE</a>



<a href="https://www.roderickjamesarchitects.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Roderick James Architects LLP</a>, Discovery House, Steamer Quay Rd, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 5AL; Email: <a>enquiries@rjarchitects.co.uk</a>; Tel 01803 868000

Inspiring local self-builds, in honour of 25 years of Grand Designs

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