Springwood Avenue, Liverpool, Merseyside

Shortlisted for the prestigious Manser Medal in 2005, this ambitious reimagination of a Grade II-listed farmhouse by Shedkm is located on Liverpool's leafy outskirts. Lateral and light-filled living spaces of over 5,400 sq ft are defined by clever architectural interventions, extensive glazing, and high-quality, staggeringly masterful finishes. The result is a series of interlinked spaces that sit in unbroken conversation with the tree-filled gardens, extending to just shy of an acre. The sought-after residential area of Allerton is renowned for its green open spaces and parkland, with Liverpool's city centre reachable in 15 minutes.

The Architect

Shedkm skilfully demonstrates how bold and exciting architectural interventions can also be socially and environmentally conscious. A certified B-Corp, the Liverpool and London-based practice has built an impressive reputation on account of its rigorous approach to regenerative redesigns. Two of their houses - including this one - have been shortlisted for the prestigious Manser Medal. For their work on Springwood Avenue, the practice was awarded a RIBA Award and a Roses Design Award.

The Tour

Entry is via electric gates that open to a driveway and courtyard shared between the five houses comprising the development.

New and old are deftly balanced in the characterful façade; the older, local red-sandstone remnants of the farmhouse barn (the last operating farm within the city's boundary) sit in compelling contrast with its contemporary extensions of black Dutch brickwork. The tall swathes of glazing that wrap the house allude to the brightness that permeates across its internal plan.

A striking double-height door pivots into a glazed hallway that runs the width of the house. A snug, cloakroom and flexible circulation space with a wood burner lies to one side, while the open-plan kitchen/living space at the heart of the house branches off from the other.

The latter is an astonishingly elegant space flanked by a sleek, bespoke kitchen and an entire wall of south-facing sliding glass doors. With an island finished in teak gently demarcating the kitchen area, the room employs a flexible, generous approach to space. Natural light pours in from morning through evening, and the glazed doors can be left open to a long, garden-facing terrace to artfully merge inside and out.

The plan's lengthy profile organises rooms sequentially, encouraging a sense of flow across two storeys. The westerly wing enables separation from the main house for use as a guest annexe; it can also be left united as one home, if desired.

A library opens out from the far end of the kitchen, with a dedicated dining room, or study, beyond. The run of glazing continues into here, strengthening the relationship between inside and out. This room opens to a second internal lobby from which a utility room, WC and garden room fan out. The latter has sliding doors to a decked area; west-facing, it is an idyllic, verdant spot for a late afternoon drink in the soft light of the setting sun.

There are two staircases in the house; the first sits at the west end of the plan and reaches up to the private primary suite. As with downstairs, the bedroom has full-height, west-facing glazing that gives the illusion of living within the trees. A generous en suite shower room and dressing room sit adjacent, with a corridor connecting to the rest of the upper level beyond.

Ascending from the main ground-floor living space, the second staircase is enclosed and open-tread, lending both visual interest and practicality. Upstairs, three bedrooms and a bathroom are arranged around a central gallery landing with views over the voluminous entrance hall below. One of the bedrooms has a capacious en suite, complete with a bathtub, while the other two have arresting double-aspect glazing and roof lights. The shared family bathroom is pristinely executed and has both a bath and a shower.

A glass box garden studio provides additional space for use as a home workspace or gym.

Outdoor Space

Expansive gardens surround the house, mainly laid to lawn and with a patchwork of mature trees forming the boundary. Hidden among the canopies, the effect of the home's sylvan site is one of enhanced privacy and peacefulness.

A series of terraces abut the house, beckoning towards the outdoors during the warmer months. The longest is south-facing and runs alongside the largest living space, conveniently placed for an evening of entertaining. There are also two large ponds in the garden, inviting a diverse array of local wildlife.

The Area

Allerton is a sought-after suburb on the outskirts of Liverpool that balances city proximity with a bucolic charm. Dating back to the Doomsday Book, it is known for being the site of John Lennon’s childhood home, which is now a National Trust site, as well as the extraordinary Tudor house, Speke Hall. Allerton is known for its golf clubs, Allerton Hall, and the considerable green expanse of Calderstones Park. There are also two golf clubs, Allterton and Woolton, within a 10-minute drive.

There are many wonderful options for coffee and pastries nearby, including the Baltic Bakehouse, which is famed for its sourdough bread, the One Percent Forest and Opposite Café. Further afield in Liverpool's city centre are plenty of revered independent restaurants, including Maray, which serves Middle Eastern fare, high-end Roski, and Little Furnace, a delicious pizza spot.

There are lots of excellent schooling options, including Booker Avenue Infant School which was rated as "Outstanding" by Ofsted, as was secondary school Liverpool College. King David High School is also close by and was rated as "Good" by Ofsted. There are also private options in easy reach.

Exceptionally positioned for transport connections, Liverpool South Parkway is a four-minute drive away and provides services to Manchester. Runcorn train station is around 18 minutes by car and runs services directly to London Euston in around two hours. Liverpool John Lennon Airport is a six-minute drive away and provides a number of flights across the country and to the continent. The M62 and the A562 are easily reached for connections to the national motorways.

Council Tax Band: H