Petronella House, Sheffield

2025 RIBA Yorkshire Award

House 
Petronella House, Sheffield
Chiles Evans + Care Architects for private client
Contract value: Confidential
GIA: 612m²

Petronella House is a handsome, late-Victorian stone villa located within a conservation area of Sheffield. Set back from the street, the house stands proudly over three floors with few clues of the major transformation beyond. 

The hard landscape sets the scene for arrival by either car or foot, the latter via the ascending steps whose curved treads create ‘smiling’ risers, happily navigating established trees and bringing visitors to the welcoming, sheltered entrance. 

The building has been refurbished from top to bottom, with some key moves to rationalise and improve the circulation, balance the size and proportion of accommodation, reinstate period details and repairs to fabric, as well as providing some thermal upgrades and window replacement.

The Chiles Evans + Care Architects design team has developed an architecture full of modern comfort while retaining the character and aspiration of the original host building. This isn’t a restoration piece, but a wholly contemporary refurbishment that has channelled the spirit of the Victorian age, shown through the craftmanship, bespoke joinery, artisanal touches, colour and texture. 

Joy and delight can be seen throughout, ranging across the architecture, landscape, interior and furniture design. The attic space in particular is beautifully handled, accessed by a newly installed metal staircase, with a half-moon landing that mirrors the space in which it is contained. The joinery on this floor is particularly skilful, with shuttered windows, cabinetry and panelled linings that carve out unique, eclectic and introverted spaces. 

In contrast, a more conspicuous copper-clad extension sits to the rear of the building at ground level, providing a new sociable space for cooking and eating, and forming a successful connection with – and view of – the landscaped terraces and gardens.

Overall, the judges were impressed with the bold and ambitious transformation of Petronella House and the significant contribution to the townscape character of the area. Additionally, the energy, commitment, collaboration and trust between client and architect were self-evident and commendable.

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RIBA Regional Awards 2025 sponsored by Autodesk, EH Smith, Equitone and VELUX