Integrating Diverse Architectural Styles

The Manor is located close to the Suffolk hamlet of Herringswell. The estate was largely rebuilt in the 1906 for the Balance family, by Ipswich architect John Shewell Corder. It subsequently served as a home to an American school, a religious community as latterly a Japanese school, whose legacy remains in the form of the Buddhist temple, archery court and Japanese gardens.

The challenge for City & Country was to sympathetically restore and integrate a most unusual set of buildings and architectural styles. The buildings included a Mock Tudor Manor House, Coach houses, cottages, lodges, an authentic Japanese Temple and some modern blocks built as school dormitiories.

In The Manor House period details were in abundance including fireplaces, original mullion windows and ornate plasterwork. Care has been taken to preserve the original room proportions and original features. Panelling, moulding and even bronze window furniture has been replicated. Original mosaic floors and chimneys pieces have been revealed and repaired. Reclaimed radiators have been reinstated.

In recognition of the success of the integration of the existing buildings and landscape City & Country has won a number of prestigious awards including:

2008 Evening Standard New Homes Awards, Best 3 bedroom home: Temple 1,The Manor
2008 Hot Property, Silver - Waterside Homes: The Manor, Suffolk
2008 Hot Property, Platinum - Design Innovation: The Manor
2007 What House? Awards, Gold - Best Renovation: The Manor, Suffolk
2007 What House? Awards, Silver - Best Landscape Design: The Manor, Suffolk
2007 Evening Standard New Homes Awards, Best New Conversion: The Manor, Suffolk
2007 New Homes and Gardens, Gold - Award for Best Communal Gardens: The Manor, Suffolk
2007 Hot Property 'Green' Award for Houses - Gold: The Manor, Suffolk