Back from the brink

WELCOME TO MARRAUM

From the glimmer of an idea to the stroke of a pencil, the first turn of a door handle to the flickering of a smile across a face, at Marraum we bring more to your space – and take your story beyond its walls.

And we begin with you. Because at the heart of each architecture project – studio spaces, private loft conversions, commercial builds or building that dream home – are the people who use it.

They’re the yawns that stretch to eye-widening views in the morning. They’re the feet feeling cool concrete underfoot. They’re the eyes looking for inspiration at their desks. And the shoulders that hunker down in the evening. These are the people whose surroundings bring more to each and every experience.

With years of architecture and design experience in both Cornwall and further afield – paired with aesthetic drive, strong ethics and constant curiosity – we know how to make space work harder for you.So from beginning, middle and end – discover how you can bring your own story of space to life.

THE BRIEF

Having initially commissioned a larger architecture company in Cornwall, these clients were now looking for a more personal and detailed service. And that’s just what we gave them.

Settled amongst a terrace of houses, overlooking Falmouth’s famous harbour, this multi-occupancy, three-story building had a long way to go to become the family home our clients longed for. They wanted four bedrooms, a living area, kitchen, dining room and a first-floor living space for drinking in the views. This was going to be a challenge, given the ramshackle state the building was in – but we do love a challenge.

stone terrace house with eight white windows seen from out in the harbour

THE INTERPRETATION

The existing structure had been subject to many alterations over the years but none of this had been carried out well. So we suggested bringing in the builders to strip away the layers of construction and expose the original structure – to give a more accurate picture for the survey.

Behind all the crumbling plaster and fake walls, things didn’t look good. The roof was OK, but the floors and supporting lintels all needed work. Revealing the true extent of the problem meant we could give a more informed idea about the costs and avoid expensive surprises down the line. Luckily we had Kieron and his team at Shepherd Contracting working tirelessly to make sure the standard was high and the structural elements were dealt with.

Then it was finally time to get our teeth into the design work. We put our heads together to discover the best ways to tie in the new floor plans with the new floor construction and layout with the new lintels. Refining the inside spaces, by moving the staircase from the middle of the building to the front and fitting double height ceilings, lent us the room to create the spacious home our clients wanted.

A challenging build that reaped rewards

WELCOME TO MARRAUM

THE BRIEF

THE INTERPRETATION

THE OUTCOME