History in the making

Preserving and extending their listed Victorian house in Lyme Regis has given Alan Dodkins and Suzy Gallina a unique and sustainable home where they can enjoy far-reaching sea views

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Alan Dodkins and Suzy Gallina had a very specific brief for their architects: 'To fix all the problems with our quirky old house without losing any of its magic, so that we could feel joy every time we arrived home,' says Alan.

The three-bedroom property stands in a National Landscape area (formerly known as an AONB), at one end of a terrace of three Grade II-listed Victorian houses overlooking the harbour and The Cobb at Lyme Regis, Dorset. Alan and Suzy had admired the unusual property and its spectacular setting for some time, before purchasing it in 2009. They planned to sensitively restore the dilapidated building, dating from the 1850s, while improving its overall energy efficiency. 'There was no insulation, and we needed to put out buckets every time it rained,' Suzy recalls.

'Crucially, we couldn't really enjoy the sea view from the house, which was a huge shame.'

FINDING INSPIRATION

The couple spent 10 years living in the property, working away from home as designers during the week, before they embarked on the project. They wanted to wait for their retirement, when they would have enough time to devote to the ambitious renovation and extension they had in mind.

Rak Architecture was appointed to fulfil the couple's brief and the architects soon discovered that a scullery had once stood at the side of the building, as depicted in a 1950s postcard.