Renovation project: Underground house in Crediton, Devon
Love this one. A great opportunity for someone to develop and live in this underground house in Crediton, Devon.
I don’t see many underground houses. It’s all a bit Grand Designs. I have featured the Arthur Quarmby house in West Yorkshire as well as one in the US. But it’s a lesser-seen design for many reasons. The main ones being the cost and practicality.
Also, this one isn’t actually a house right now, hence it being a renovation project for someone.
In the early 1990s work started on a new doctors’ surgery and pharmacy in the Threshers area of Crediton, with the aim to design something that complimented the surroundings. The end result is what you see here, a design that won a number of prestigious awards.
30 years on and a larger building is needed, so the existing one is going up for sale for what looks like modest money in light of the design. Although you will have to spend to turn it into a home rather than a business premises.
As it stands, the main section of the pharmacy is built into the landscape with a living roof, hence the underground nature of the building, with the unique turret creating a light filled interior.
There are permissions to convert it into a detached dwelling made up of two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an open-plan kitchen/dining/living room opening onto the gardens to the south side. That’s where you’ll need the investment. It’s a distinctive design that will likely need some thought when it comes to laying it out as a home. Although you can see from the existing photos the potential to do just that.
The site also has a front garden, parking, and a bank behind packed with mature trees to boost privacy. Looks like an air conditioning unit at the top too – which might be a nice thing to have already onsite.
It’s an interesting project and I suspect there will not be a shortage of interest. Especially at the asking price. It has just gone on the market with a guide price of £225k.
Images and details courtesy of Helmores. For more details and to make an enquiry, please visit the website.
