Cliff and Shena Cooper

Northants   2010   09-020

Cliff and Shena are in their early sixties, Cliff is a consultant lawyer and Shena is CEO of Secret Seed Society a successful publisher of books for children.

They had lived in and around Northants area for many years and ultimately wanted to retire back in the county again. Then they stumbled on a plot of land which was in fact a slice of the adjacent bungalow owners garden, and overlooked beautiful open countryside on 3 sides.

The site already had planning permission for a chalet styled bungalow so they proceeded to design every bit of their new home both internally and externally, it was important that it had to be “a practical retirement property”, it had to be very light and airy, and have very light coloured joinery. This would be a house they could work from and, entertain in. The main considerations were that it should be energy efficient, cost effective to run and most importantly have low maintenance.

Once the design was finalised, and with a quick nod of approval from an architect friend they decided to re-submit the planning application with a two storey uniquely styled contemporary house incorporating 3 / 4 bedrooms.

Being in a fairly traditional pretty Northamptonshire Village they were amazed when the planning officer visited the site and suggested he was not only happy with the design but thought that a timber cladding would be more suitable than full render, in fact he went further than that he recommended approval to the parish council subject to it being part natural render and part larch clad!

To achieve all they wanted with the house the Coopers have incorporated

• · Construction utilising Kingspan Potton TEK SIPs system
• · Under floor heating system
• · Air source heat pump
• · Solar Panels
• · Mechanical heat recovery and ventilation system
• · Central Vacuum system
• · Low Voltage Lighting where ever possible
• · Natural Ash and Oak joinery
• · External Larch cladding

The house is an absolute testament to two people who knew exactly what they wanted, and where they wanted it, It all works perfectly…currently concentrating on their new vegetable garden Cliff and Shena couldn’t be more delighted with their new home…and, rightly so !