Lyon House, Devon
This is a complete new build cob house, which on a beautiful riverside site with spectacular views over the River Dart, replacing a rather uninspiring seventies concrete bungalow.
The Architect, Paul Bedford, of Bedford & Jobson, had quite a tricky task of giving the owners the accommodation they sought, whilst maximising the views and restricting the shadow over the garden. These factors coupled with his own preference for rectilinear form (at least externally) created an unusual design. The plan, for me, is reminiscent of a church, and was a rather challenging build, with little tolerance for error with the laying out of the building. We started rather late in the season, mid June 2007 and the cob was not started until towards the end of August.
Lyon House won “Best Vernacular Building” in the LABC 2008 awards.
Recent view.
![Recent view title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_459-200x200.jpg)
Finished house as garden matures.
![Finished house as garden matures title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_458-200x200.jpg)
View from North showing reclaimed Delabole slate roof.
![Lyon House Finished title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_318-200x200.jpg)
Main bathroom tiling and bespoke cupboards.
![Bathroom title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_317-200x200.jpg)
As with all external joinery; made with locally grown sweet chestnut.
![Conservatories title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_316-200x200.jpg)
Bespoke Book shelves.
![Bespoke Book shelves title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_315-200x200.jpg)
View from North, showing heat-pump shed.
![Lyon House Finished title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_314-200x200.jpg)
Rough cast lime rendering.
![Rough cast lime rendering title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_311-200x200.jpg)
Different angle.
![Lyon House Finished title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_313-200x200.jpg)
Kevin demonstrating this traditional craft, using lime putty based render. Hand harled onto the wall.
![Rough cast lime rendering title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_310-200x200.jpg)
Also showing bespoke oak doors.
![Cruck leg title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_309-200x200.jpg)
Finished internal roof structure.
![Finished internal roof structure title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_308-200x200.jpg)
Oak roof principles.
![Oak roof principles title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_307-200x200.jpg)
Reflects the shape of the cob newel.
![Chimney title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_306-200x200.jpg)
Used for thin wall behind conservatories.
![OSB title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_305-200x200.jpg)
Showing temporary ties to aid accurate setting out.
![Wall plate title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_304-200x200.jpg)
Between the two conservatories.
![Ambulatory title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_303-200x200.jpg)
Top of stair newel.
![Top of stair newel title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_302-200x200.jpg)
Showing the finished Newel lime plastered.
![Stair newel title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_301-200x200.jpg)
Showing bespoke newel from above.
![Stairs in plan title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_300-200x200.jpg)
Showing the first floor detail around stair newel.
![Floor detail title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_299-200x200.jpg)
View from other side.
![Placing beam title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_298-200x200.jpg)
Placing the beams.
![Kitchen Fire place title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_297-200x200.jpg)
Showing temp shuttering for bespoke stair newel.
![Ground floor title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_295-200x200.jpg)
Showing acrows giving temporary support.
![Kitchen Fire place title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_294-200x200.jpg)
Showing oak lintels with trestle pieces below.
![Halfway title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_293-200x200.jpg)
Showing acrows supporting fire place beam.
![Living room title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_292-200x200.jpg)
Viewed from the South.
![Second lift title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_291-200x200.jpg)
Viewed from the North.
![Second lift title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_290-200x200.jpg)
First floor wall plate.
![First floor wall plate title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_289-200x200.jpg)
Plinth Plan.
![Plinth Plan title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_288-200x200.jpg)
With yellow ochre lime wash.
![Lyon House Finished title=](https://www.buildsomethingbeautiful.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/buildsomethingbeautiful_312-200x200.jpg)