Greener by Design
John and Jean Bloxam have remodelled and extended a 1970s bungalow in South Yorkshire to create a future proofed home that’s also light, warm, economical to run
One couple futureproof their 1970s home in Sheffield — and make significant cuts to their heating bills in the process
When John and Jean Bloxam relocated from London to Sheffield, they were looking for a sustainable retirement home which was light, warm, economical and easy to live in — not to mention, futureproofed. The couple have always liked design and John is proficient at DIY, so they initially toyed with the idea of a selfbuild, but finding land proved difficult. “I’m also at an age where I don’t want to spend years on a building site, although two decades ago it might have been a different story,” adds John.
So instead the couple began looking at existing properties to renovate, including three in north Sheffield. One, a bungalow built into a hillside, had incredible views of the Peak District and immediately stood out from the rest. “It was the view that sold it to us,” says John. “We could see the possibilities the building offered.”
reconfiguring the layout
The interior of the three-bed property was dated and in dire need of refurbishment, so John and Jean engaged architect Paul Testa to help them design an energy-efficient home and to reconfigure the existing layout.
The old front door opened into the kitchen, which the couple wanted to change. And so the back entrance was duly remodelled to
become the front entrance. An old PVCu lean-to was demolished and replaced with a small extension (with an external ramp at its approach for easier access) to incorporate the new entrance hall and a utility room. The old, small front entrance off the kitchen now serves as a pantry.
Instead of keeping the property’s two small adjoining bathrooms (the main bathroom and the master en suite), it seemed more practical to combine the rooms into one large space. A old small side extension was built to improve the size of the master bedroom too, while an interior wall was knocked down between the kitchen and the living/dining room to make the area large, airy and open plan.
The north-facing hallway was dark, and so rooflights were added to flood the space with natural light. A rooflight was also included in the bathroom, directly over the shower, and huge picture windows in the bedroom and living space also maximise natural light and views.
Paul’s knowledge proved invaluable when it came to applying for planning permission for the extensions; the property is in a conservation area and a few hundred metres from the National Park boundary. He also helped navigate John and Jean through all the different stages of the build — the design, tender, contract and
completion. “We had regular site meetings on a once-a-month basis at least and also when necessary. Even though I didn’t have to get involved in those, I was able to when needed and available,” says John, who together with Jean lived with relatives during the build.
a sustainable home
The couple wanted to make the building as thermally efficient as possible, so a bespoke insulated drylining system was fitted to the interior of the external walls (more on page 80). “It makes ethical and economic sense,” says John. Thermal efficiency was further improved with triple-glazed windows throughout. “This isn’t a Passivhaus, but it does get very close to the AECB Standard Certification (previously known as the Silver Standard),” says John.
The couple commissioned local company Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens to design and install the kitchen, as well as a range of items for the interior – including the home office, bedroom wardrobes and utility room – from sustainable materials. The kitchen worktops, for example, are made from reclaimed iroko school lab benches.
“We enjoyed taking a style lead from the mid-century modern vibe of the house,” says Rob Cole, the owner of company. “There were also some interesting challenges, such as finding a way to install the hob and an extractor in front of the window to avoid spoiling the view. In the end, we used an induction hob with integrated downdraught extractor to keep the clean lines.”
Architect Paul Testa adds: “The project was a rare gem; it was clear everyone involved was working together towards a common goal. From the client to the contractor (Terry Huggett Developments), the kitchen supplier and plumber, it felt like a shared vision for a beautiful, sustainable and comfortable home. It’s been one of the most enjoyable construction projects we’ve been involved with.”
For the couple, the house is a pleasure to live in. “We wanted a building that would maximise light and views and make movement and access very easy for us, both now and in the future,” concludes John. “And that’s exactly what we’ve achieved.”