Ocean views, a zero-maintenance garden and comfortable openplan design… the living is easy with John and Jennifer Rosser’s smart new timber frame home

WORDS SOPHIE GALE PHOTOS CAMILLA REYNOLDS

You couldn’t ask for a lovelier spot to sit and watch the world go by than the gallery areas of John and Jennifer Rosser’s seafront home in Penarth, South Wales. “They are comfortable, calming spaces”, says John. “In the distance you can see shipping moving to and from the Bristol Channel and Monkstone Lighthouse keeps an eye over everything. You’ll find us here with a coffee at some point most days, or out on the balcony with a cocktail when the weather’s warm!”

Well, the couple should raise a glass or two, as they can now enjoy their retirement back in the small town where they both grew up. Their timber frame project achieved a feat not often managed; it was fully constructed in just over seven months and came in £3,000 under budget, with few hitches along the way.

The couple are experienced self builders, which partly accounts for why they breezed through construction work. This is the third home they have constructed in the surrounding area over the past two decades. Previous projects were of a similar nature but on a larger scale; a desire to downsize and return to Penarth was the motivation for the recent move. “We had over an acre of land and that’s a lot of lawn mowing!” says John. “We wanted more time for walking, taking holidays and for Jennifer to play golf.”

Excellent credentials

However, John’s track record in housebuilding doesn’t stop there. In fact, he is an accomplished architect who has spent decades designing private abodes and official buildings. He worked on the Welsh government offices in Cardiff, at Cathays Park, for which he was named Project Manager of the Year in 1981 by the industry body APM. Having designed dozens of homes in the local area whilst working freelance, John finally retired last year, producing the couple’s new Penarth residence as his swansong. Meanwhile, Jennifer also had a career in property, working as a human resources officer at a housing association.