Award-Winning Renovation Transforms Historic Welsh Cottage into Contemporary Coastal Home
A once-overlooked historic cottage on the Welsh coastline has been brought back to life following a comprehensive renovation by D&O Construction Ltd — a project that has since been recognised as the best of its kind in Wales.

Berry Lodge has undergone a striking transformation, with the removal of unsympathetic 1980s extensions that had long obscured the character of the original building. Stripping back decades of additions allowed the historic cottage to breathe again, forming the heart of a reimagined home that carefully balances its heritage with bold, contemporary design.

In place of the removed extensions, the project introduced a series of modern additions designed to complement both the building’s history and its spectacular coastal setting. A new first-floor balcony leads directly off the master suite, offering panoramic views across the town, beach, and estuary — a feature that makes the most of Berry Lodge’s enviable position. Comprehensive landscaping and a new driveway complete the exterior transformation, while a newly constructed garage and boat house — finished with a sedum living roof and locally sourced larch cladding — demonstrates a commitment to materials and methods that are in keeping with the surrounding landscape. The result is a set of contemporary additions that feel entirely at home in their environment.

The project was carried out by D&O Construction Ltd in collaboration with Julian Bishop Architect and Redstone Architecture, with building control oversight provided by Pembrokeshire County Council.

Recognition at the LABC Building Excellence Awards

The quality of the work has been formally recognised with D&O Construction Ltd receiving the LABC Building Excellence Award for Best Extension in Wales 2024 — one of the most prestigious accolades in the UK construction industry.

The LABC Building Excellence Awards are run by the Local Authority Building Control (LABC), the body representing public sector building control teams across England and Wales. The awards follow a three-stage process, beginning with regional nominations across LABC’s 12 regions, with regional winners then competing at the national Grand Finals. The awards focus on professional skills and competence, as well as exemplar projects, with judges assessing solutions to complex technical and construction challenges, site constraints, and technical innovation — highlighting the vital contribution that public sector building control teams make in ensuring safe, sustainable, and high-quality construction.
The Wales regional winners were announced in August 2024 , with D&O Construction Ltd’s Berry Lodge renovation taking the top spot in the Best Extension category — competing against entries from across the country. All regional winners were then invited to compete at the Grand Finals, which took place on Friday 24 January 2025 at the prestigious Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

D&O Construction on the Project

Wayne and Alan at D&O Construction described the Berry Lodge project as one of the most rewarding they have undertaken. “From the outset, this was a project that demanded real care and craftsmanship,” said Wayne. “Removing those 1980s extensions and revealing the original cottage beneath was a defining moment — it set the tone for everything that followed. Our goal was always to create something that felt entirely contemporary but never out of place, and we’re incredibly proud of what the whole team achieved.”
Alan added: “To be recognised with the LABC award for Best Extension in Wales is just a fantastic feeling. These awards are judged by people who truly understand construction — it’s not just about how something looks, it’s about how it’s built, the decisions made on site, and the standards upheld throughout. Winning this for Berry Lodge means a great deal to everyone involved.”