Nestled in a leafy suburb of the Wirral, Merseyside, a 1960s dormer bungalow was transformed into a modern masterpiece.  The project, led by Stuart and Rosie Treasurer in collaboration with Bromilow Architects, captured national attention when featured on TV’s Grand Designs in November 2016, showcasing both design ambition and the thoughtful use of high-performance timber. 

Stripped to its ground-floor foundations, the home’s first floor was rebuilt as a bold, rectangular timber “box,” subtly cantilevered over the original structure. The ambitious design removed the original roof, creating a striking modern form with five new bedrooms. 

The design reflects Stuart and Rosie’s lifelong affinity with wood. Drawing on years of experience from their former business, Cleancut Wood, they sought a material that combined enduring performance with natural beauty. 

Accoya was central to the home’s transformation. In Phase One (2016), the focus was on external cladding and interior finishes, delivering a distinctive, evolving character. In Phase Two (2025), Accoya Color decking was added, creating a stylish, durable outdoor space that complements the home’s contemporary aesthetic.  

Stuart explains:
“From the start, we wanted a home that would stand out, yet feel bespoke and natural. Accoya has a style all of its own—each plank reveals its own character, creating a genuinely unique overall design. Its durability against wind, rain, and salt-laden air from the Dee Estuary has exceeded our expectations.” 

For the external cladding, the raw Accoya boards were left unfinished, allowing subtle weathering to enhance the home’s natural character while providing decades of low-maintenance durability. For the decking, Accoya Color in Slate Grey was chosen. Its infused colour technology penetrates the entire board—not just the surface—ensuring vibrant, long-lasting colour that never needs recoating or refinishing. 

The reimagined home now features five bedrooms, three en-suite, and generous living and kitchen spaces.

The flat-roofed first-floor “wooden wonder box,” as described by Kevin McCloud, maximises volume while maintaining the original ridge height. Slim steel supports create the illusion of cantilevering without the need for full structural overhangs, giving the design both lightness and strength.

Inside, Stuart and Rosie’s industrial-inspired aesthetic blends exposed timber with refined finishes. Accoya enhances the warm, barn-like character, complementing bespoke details such as a CNC-routed plywood staircase, a wheeled kitchen island, and shelving made from reclaimed roof joists.

Completing much of the interior themselves while living on site, the couple maintained close control over costs and craftsmanship—creating a space that evolved alongside their family.

“We were okay with the build looking unfinished at times,” Stuart reflects, “because we knew it would grow with us. Accoya’s performance gave us the confidence to work with it, knowing the results would be lasting and low maintenance.”

Over eight square metres of Accoya were used, supplied by James Latham Timber. Its exceptional stability, durability, and environmental credentials made it the ideal choice for a home exposed to coastal conditions.

Compared with alternative timbers, Accoya reduces swelling and shrinkage by at least 80%, making it perfect for bespoke architectural projects where precision and longevity are paramount. 

Accoya also comes with a 50-year warranty for above-ground applications and a 25-year warranty for ground-contact use, providing long-term peace of mind.

Its low-maintenance properties, resistance to rot, and excellent dimensional stability mean the home retains its beauty and performance with minimal upkeep, combining enduring functionality with timeless aesthetic appeal.

Nine years after the initial build, the home continues to evolve. Most recently, the Accoya Color decking was completed, enhancing both the aesthetics and functionality of the outdoor living spaces.  

Over this period, the external cladding has naturally weathered to a subtle silvery-grey, which Stuart notes “matches beautifully” with the newly installed decking, creating a cohesive and harmonious finish throughout the property. 

This revisit demonstrates how Accoya delivers enduring performance, beauty, and longevity, supporting the Treasurers’ vision for a home that grows with their family while withstanding coastal conditions.

A testament to thoughtful design, expert craftsmanship, and high-performance timber, the property seamlessly merges imagination with practicality, with Accoya ensuring it weathers both the elements and the passage of time while retaining its unique character for generations.

Project Details

• Architect:  Bromilow Architects
• Location: Wirral, Merseyside, UK
• Area: 120 m² (renovation + extension)
• Material: Phase 1 (2016)– Accoya external and internal cladding (raw and fine sawn); Phase 2 (2025) – Accoya Color Decking. 
• Video produced by Two Fresh