FPA Architects

FPA architects project for MH Stainton Homes, East Lodge in Lancaster, has won ‘Best Residential Conversion or Alteration to an Existing Home’ at the national Grand Finals of the LABC Building Excellence Awards 2024.

East Lodge, a Grade II Listed Building, had fallen into a terrible state of disrepair when it was rescued by MH Stainton Homes. FPA architects was appointed to work with the team on the restoration and extension of the Lodge.

Built in 1827, East Lodge retains much of its original external form and fabric. It is largely constructed from local yellow gritstone, externally finished in courses of roughly dressed ashlar, with finer detailing around the doors, windows, copings and in the two pairs of octagonal-section chimneys.

Internally the Lodge appeared much altered and was subject to considerable damage due to water ingress. With collapsed floors and perished stairs, very few internal architectural features of interest had survived.

Maintaining the integrity of the original building, the connection between the stone Lodge and the contemporary, charred timber clad extension was kept to a minimum. A glazed link was created to provide a new front door offering access into both the original building and the new extension.

The ground floor of the new extension includes a new open plan kitchen/living room that opens out onto a sunken patio. Stairs rising from the living room lead to a master bedroom within the roof space. The ensuite bedroom enjoys countryside views from a balcony, positioned above the patio.

The existing building has been fully restored. Rotten floors and stairs have been carefully replaced, windows painstakingly refurbished, and the stone walls have been repointed with lime mortar externally, and lime plastered internally creating further bedrooms, a bathroom and living space.

The prestigious award acknowledges the design, attention to detail and the meticulous craftmanship necessary to rescue a ruined listed building. East Lodge has been transformed from dilapidation into a contemporary new home, a credit to everyone that worked on the project.