Riversvale

Having been vacant since 2005, our residential and housing architects were pleased to be playing our part in redeveloping this site by adding 12 delightful new homes to benefit the community.

Here at Quattro, we understand that people cherish their outdoor living space, which is why each of the townhouses has its own private garden with the six apartments, located within the main villa, sharing a communal garden creating a synergy with other properties in the area.

The Challenge

Working alongside our project partners, our residential and housing architects are converting Riversvale Villa from an unused and unloved commercial space, previously occupied by the NHS, into six new, individually styled, apartments as well as overseeing the design elements of six new townhouses on the same site.

Thought to have been constructed in 1839, Riversvale retains a number of its original period features – something we’ve worked hard to enhance as part of the project. We’ve placed great emphasis on maintaining the historical significance of the original building and have ensured it retains its links to the surrounding area as well as to its own heritage. A small extension to the north-west of the house has been designed with complimentary materials to help maintain a cohesive balance.

Having been vacant since 2005, we’re pleased to be playing our part in redeveloping this site by adding 12 delightful new homes to benefit the community.

Our Solution

Many properties in the area lack off-street parking, often leaving residents vying for available spaces. As specialist residential development architects, parking was a key consideration when designing the Riversvale development. As such, 19 private parking spaces were designated for the site, giving homeowners greater flexibility and security when parking their vehicles.

Parking wasn’t the only major consideration when designing the six new townhouses – key to the design was ample working space for residents who work from home. Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, more people are working from home than ever before. It was imperative the interior design reflected the changing nature of our working habits.

Here at Quattro, we understand that people cherish their outdoor living space, which is why each of the townhouses has its own private garden with the six apartments, located within the main villa, sharing a communal garden creating a synergy with other properties in the area.

In addition to rationalising the design, retaining as much of the listed building’s features as possible, and designing to a high-quality specification, it was important to ensure that each apartment has its own personality. This was important as it results in both the interior and exterior of Riversvale House enjoying a level of individuality that can easily be lost during conversions. We’ve maintained the character of the building by working closely with Devon Council; this collaboration has resulted in the first-floor balustrade being retained, the repairing of the period windows and ensuring the historic interior is highlighted in the final design. Not satisfied with simply retaining a number of period features, our design has ensured their enhancement, further improving the character of the villa by restoring it back to its former glory.

As sustainable architects it was also important for us to make sure the development was as sustainable as possible. Along with being built to a high standard, the six new townhouses are designed with the future in mind as they each have air source heat pumps. This, paired with a fabric-first approach, using excellent insulation and modern windows means these new townhouses are thermally efficient, helping reduce running costs!

This development not only represents reinvestment into the area but also an investment in local history and sustainability with the lifestyle of prospective residents central to the design.

Click here to learn more about our residential and housing architects.