Residential Architecture
Ashburne House is Grade II listed, large classical villa, designed by an unidentified Architect. The dwelling was originally built for Edward Backhouse, of the family banking firm of Backhouse & Co, between 1819-22. The property is set in ornamental grounds on the original outskirts of Sunderland in Ashbrooke, an area characterised by high quality residential properties. The building is a prominent feature overlooking Backhouse Park, a major public green space in Sunderland, to the South of the property.
The building was bequeathed to Sunderland Corporation in 1922 and in 1934 the house opened as a College of Art. The College of Art became part of the University of Sunderland in 1996 before the faculty was relocated to the City Centre Campus in 2012. Ashburne House was advertised for sale in 2015 and sat derelict, subject to vandalism for a number of years.
New owners acquired the building, in a bid to provide a sustainable future for Ashburne House. BDN were appointed to lead the £1m restoration project, acting as architects and engineers, converting the listed building into a mixed-use development of contemporary office space for the client and three high end family homes.
A number of historic 1920s and 1960s extensions to the site significantly impacted the original building. The buildings prominence was substantially overshadowed by inappropriate extensions of a greater size, uncharacteristic materials and comparatively poorer quality construction, which were ultimately judged as not ideal for conversion.
The project consisted of partial demolition of the extensions, leaving Ashburne house as a stand-alone building, as it was originally intended and built.
The internal layout was retained predominately at ground floor, making no amendments to the historical format. The plans ensured that the most important building characteristics were retained, ensuring the conversions told the history of the building, and how it was first built and used.
The dwellings combine the building’s beautiful original Georgian features with a stylish minimalist design. New sash windows, with panoramic views of Backhouse Park, were installed to match the period features of the property. Original elements were retained to sympathetically restore the former arts college, including revealing and restoring the original parquet floor, marble columns and column radiators.
In saving the Grade II listed building from ruin, the development has restored a historically significant building, which has been a tangible part of Sunderland’s past. Members of the local community have shared their gratitude with the owners in re-purposing and restoration of the building, which has had a positive impact by reducing anti-social behaviour found in Backhouse Park.