BROADMEADOWS LIVE/WORK UNITS

Broadmeadows in Wadebridge, North Cornwall was designed as a contemporary live and work development that supports local families, independent businesses and long term community living. The vision was to create a place where people could live close to where they work, helping local jobs, skills and businesses remain rooted in Cornwall.

Built on the site of a former filling station just off Padstow Road, the development carefully transformed a previously underused site into a welcoming and sustainable mixed use community surrounded by countryside and mature trees. The layout was designed to encourage connection between home life and working life while creating attractive and practical contemporary spaces.

Broadmeadows reflects ARCO2’s approach as architects in Cornwall, combining thoughtful planning, contemporary design and community focused development principles in a way that responds carefully to its setting.

We work across the county as experienced North Cornwall architects, creating sustainable homes, mixed use developments and contemporary spaces designed around modern Cornish living.

SHAPING THE SITE TO FIT PEOPLE’S NEEDS

Transforming the former workshop was never straightforward. We worked with sloping land, mature trees, and reminders of the site’s busy history.  The new buildings had to combine privacy and connection, fitting both homes and workspaces alongside each other.  The site also sits close to a main road, so safe access and clear routes for cars and pedestrians were very important. We had to make sure everyone could move around comfortably without disturbing the peace of the place.  Careful design meant providing easy access for all, smart drainage and sustainable choices. Every path, garden and window was planned so life here feels simple and welcoming for everyone.

HOMES AND WORKSPACES BUILT FOR CORNWALL

We placed the homes close to the road, so the best of the land stays green and open behind. That way the countryside remains the backdrop to everyday life.  Each house has space to work on the ground floor, with living rooms above that look out to the landscape. The gardens sit on the quieter side of the site, where you can step out and feel the calm of the valley.

The architecture feels right for Cornwall. Simple forms, real materials, and colours that belong to the area. Stone, timber and slate come together in a way that lets the buildings sit comfortably among the trees.

Inside, the homes feel bright, steady, and well insulated. Warm in winter, cool in summer, and friendly to energy bills.  It is a place designed for real life. You can focus on work with wide views to the countryside. You can relax outside in quiet corners. And if you want a chat, the shared paths and gardens make it easy to bump into neighbours as you go about your day

LIFE IN THE NEW BROADMEADOWS COMMUNITY

Broadmeadows is a small community where home and work sit side by side.  People can run a business downstairs and be with family upstairs, without long commutes or costly workspace elsewhere.  It sits just outside Wadebridge, close enough for everyday needs while still enjoying the countryside around it.

With careful design and familiar Cornish materials, the new buildings feel part of the area from day one. The green space behind gives everyone room to breathe, and the shared routes through the site help neighbours cross paths naturally.  It is a place built to make life simpler, keep work local and allow people to enjoy where they live.

LIVE/WORK UNITS

The buildings were shaped so home life and work life fit together well.  Their long shape runs along the road, keeping the front active for work, and placing the homes and gardens behind for privacy.  Each unit uses glulam timber beams and posts, creating a strong natural frame with plenty of daylight and views of the outdoors.

LOCALLY SOURCED MATERIALS

The exterior uses vertical timber cladding, natural stone, and slate hanging so the buildings feel at home in Cornwall’s landscape.  Timber was sourced from nearby sustainable forests and western red cedar shingles supplied through local resources.  Recycled materials help lower waste and reduce environmental impact.

MADE FOR SUSTAINABILITY

The design takes advantage of sunlight and uses deep insulation including sheep wool and recycled newspaper.  The roofs are finished with cedar shingles and green planting that supports wildlife and absorbs rainwater.  Energy saving systems help keep the homes comfortable all year with lower running costs.

Architects Working Across North Cornwall

ARCO2 designs contemporary sustainable homes across Polzeath, Rock, Padstow, Daymer Bay, Constantine Bay, Trevone Bay, St Merryn and the wider North Cornwall coastline. North Cornwall Architects.

Architects Working Across Cornwall