Bleachfield Road

This house conversion in Selkirk, Scottish Borders takes an existing conversion of a former Victorian fever hospital and makes significant changes to transform the property into a modern family home. The existing layout grapples with the high ceilings and large windows of the former hospital, but is very cellular with odd circulation. One of the key drivers for the proposal is to liberate this layout with open plan space that is controlled by the position of entry and a central stair to a new first floor. The amount of space is increased with a replacement extension to the front, a new extension to the rear and an attic conversion that requires the lowering of existing ceiling joists and a new bedroom dormer. At the point of entry there will be a view through the open stair to the garden at the rear of the property.

The language of change is for the extension of the property to be obvious and modern, but controlled in a way that doesn’t overwhelm the existing building. The front and rear extensions are flat roofed, one of which becomes a terrace from the attic bedroom, and set below the eaves line of the house. They are clad in a red ashlar sandstone matching the edge detailing of the existing facades and have varying openings depending on the requirements of the space behind.

Planning Permission was granted in summer 2023.