Care Home Becomes Family Home

For a family in London hunting for a spacious home, the answer wasn’t on the open market. Sara and Bruce Sandford found their dream property in an unusual place: an auctioned care home. The couple, who live with three children, had spent two years searching for a residence with a garden of at least 60ft and extra bedrooms. They eventually secured the derelict property after seeing it at auction with a reduced price. The house, once a care home, had lost much of its original character. Institutional features like windowless rooms and industrial washing machines replaced period detailing. The floorboards were missing and the copper wiring had been stripped out. It was a shell of its former self. However, the location was perfect. Located in a conservation area with a large garden backing onto playing fields, the potential was undeniable.

The Sandfords hired architect Nick Learoyd of Formwork Architects to convert the care home into a family home. Previous development plans for the site had failed due to concerns about overdevelopment. The new plans, however, received a more favorable response. The goal was to create a flexible home with plenty of light and working spaces. Nick focused on a planning consent that would lead to a higher quality result. The house should be enjoyed, not just admired. The couple praised the firm’s communication and ability to get things done. “Massive kudos to Nick and Formwork,” Sara said. “We can’t fault their communication and their ability to get things done.”

The design balances heritage with contemporary elements. The original entrance hall and staircase have been carefully restored. Repaired stained-glass windows fill the space with light. The entrance hall is now double height, emphasizing the grandeur of the original home. While the entrance impresses with period detailing, the rest of the home is more modern. The new design extended the existing basement both under the front driveway for utility and function spaces, as well as out to the rear. A double height extension that is 8.2m deep radically alters the layout. “I said I didn’t want to feel like I’m in a basement,” Sara said. “And although it is 75ft from front to back, it is very light in the house.”

Clever design details ensure the light. Full-height sliding doors open onto the garden. A double height void in the centre of the house features internal balconies. Strategically positioned roof lights also help. Digging such a huge basement extension had its drawbacks. Building during the winter was the biggest challenge. The amount of rain required the regular pumping of water out of the excavations. The existing basement was dug out further to increase floor to ceiling heights to 2.8m. This provided valuable spaces like a utility under the driveway. The rear extension is organized around a lightwell. It provides a gradual transition from basement level to the garden. “It’s tiered up into the garden, so your eyes just look up into trees,” Sara said.

The deep floorplan meant a second staircase was needed. Bruce and Sara chose to restore the original Edwardian staircase. Formwork Architects designed a new metal staircase with timber treads for the rear extension. The staircase is a curved, sinuous design with open treads. It allows light to filter down from the roof light above. It complements the minimalist kitchen. “We only just kept the staircase in the budget, but I believe you either cut something completely or keep it,” Sara said. “No half measures, no compromise, and I’m so glad we did keep it.”

The kitchen is an example of how architectural design can work with interior detailing. Nick designed the kitchen himself. The detailing accentuates the height of the basement. Crafted by McCormack Joinery, the cupboard handles extend the full height of the cupboards. This draws the gaze upwards. The kitchen is designed to bring the whole family together. There is plenty of space at the 3m island. Storage was another practical consideration. Clutter is hidden in this minimalistic space. Breakfast larders are behind pocket doors. These remain open for everyday use but can be closed off when the family are entertaining. “Once the kitchen went in, I realised how lovely it would be,” Sara said.

For a family with three children, the conversion offers a specific kind of relief. The shift from a sterile care home to a lived-in family home is visible in every restored stairwell and hidden larder. It is the quiet confidence of knowing that the chaos of daily life now has a proper place to go, hidden behind those pocket doors. The children have the space to move, and the light pours in, proving that even the most institutional past can yield a very human future.