Comments on: The Old Dairy by Thomas De Cruz Architects

By: Kirsty Curnow Bayley

Kirsty Curnow Bayley — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:15:41 +0000

Just looking at the design for a new house in Exeter and wanted to find some pics of this lovely extension, which I had the pleasure of working on whilst working with Peter at Thomas de Cruz Architects. It still looks fabulous, quite inspirational really.

By: Peter Thomas de Cruz

Peter Thomas de Cruz — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 00:13:05 +0000

If by ‘it doesn’t even fit in’ Earl means it is not as dark and dingy and space starved as the Victorian houses that surround it then I would agree with him. The front of the house, however, including the front rooms on both levels, remains Victorian. It ‘fits in’ in Earl’s terms.

The back is a breathe of fresh, a relief from the pokey, Victorian cellular living which is short on natural light. The proof of its success was the silly sum that the client sold it for. People will pay a premium for contemporary light and space in the claustrophobic city because it is so rare and because it is so uplifting to the spirits.

Contemporary additions to old properties can bring new life to homes that are well past their sell by date.

By: Martin

Martin — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:33:54 +0000

Am I the only one that loves his privacy?

By: william charlson

william charlson — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 21:15:47 +0000

did you use NaNa doors, we wanting to build here in myrtle beach coast and have that bring the outdoor in feel.
If you did not use these type doors, could you suggest something else.

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:16:02 +0000

i agree with Alan Scott.. we are living in a modern world.. where we should be looking towards the future.. people should not feel that they need to stick to vernacular design and have a home like what is around! we should be challenging the rules of architecture.. or we will be stuck with the same old housing all the time..

and why not build a log home in New York.. it would be different and stand out.. and standing out is a good thing. within reason…

By: Alan Scott

Alan Scott — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:26:34 +0000

The contemporary addition might not match the other Victorian homes, but it’s the Victorian houses that don’t fit into the 21st century. The contemporary addition makes sense for living today. So it’s the Victorian architecture that doesn’t fit anymore, not the contemporary.

Seems to me there’s only three choices in this situation:

1. Build nothing and let the house fall apart.

2. Build in a fake historical style that always ends up looking very tacky.

3. Build contemporary.

What would you choose?

By: Earl

Earl — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:05:50 +0000

Alan:
I’m not saying it doesn’t look great. I would love to have a home like this. I’m simply stating that it doesn’t fit into the environment. Would you build a log home in the middle of New York?

By: Alan Scott

Alan Scott — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:29:22 +0000

Earl, Victorian architecture is over, and it’s not coming back. This is reality.

Personally, I think it looks great, and would prefer to own and live in this home than any of the surrounding homes. Nice work by the architects!

By: Earl

Earl — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:42:49 +0000

This is terrible. It doesn’t even fit into the environment. What a sore thumb. Maybe if this was built in Malibu it’d be acceptable, but in a Victorian neighborhood?

By: Rosie

Rosie — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:30:16 +0000

I love the bedroom! That would be a dream to have one like that.

By: Speedmaster

Speedmaster — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:42:05 +0000

Absolutely beautiful! The exterior pic is fantastic.