Sam Tisdall's investment project undertaken by a retired couple looking to release money by selling their old house, also enabling them to build the perfect new home for their retirement. This case study is a perfect guide for many retiring couples – the owners are not wealthy and wanted to be able to remain near to friends and family.
The house is in Alexandra Palace, London.
The project is a newly built railway cottage on the end of a terraced street. The owners appointed architect Sam Tisdall for the work. Jane and Eddie actually owned the existing end-of-terrace house (pictured below, to the right) and sold it, along with a portion of the garden but retaining the side plot, in order to build a new, perfectly designed home for them in their retirement. Jane and Eddie loved their old home and their neighbourhood, but as their needs changed, it was important to release money.
The couple have constructed the new property using only 50% of the capital released from selling their old house, enabling them to put half the money in the bank for their future. They have also gained their dream home to meet all their retirement needs, without having to move to a new location and leave their friends and family.
Externally, the new cottage is an exact replica of the couple’s old house – this was a planning requirement. However, inside the architect has played with the volumetric space to design a versatile, open and airy home comprising 2 bedrooms, an open plan kitchen/diner, sitting room, utility room and cloak room. The couple wanted a second bedroom to accommodate their grandchildren so Sam cleverly arranged the upstairs space to include a sleeping platform in the second room with ample wardrobe space and small office space for the couple under the platform. Jane and Eddie also wanted to have an open-plan living area. To achieve this in the small cottage Sam raised the ground floor ceiling height and designed a small, but perfectly formed galley kitchen, again including lots of discrete storage to house Jane and Eddie belongs. Behind the kitchen is a cosy sitting room.
At the front of the house the architect has created a generous vegetable garden for the couple to grow their own food. This sustainable approach was important to the owners in their retirement.