As architects we love having sites with views over water, so this opportunity was too good to miss. The scheme was to convert a Boathouse in the grounds of our clients existing house to a separate dwelling for her retirement. Being beside a tidal river meant we had some challenges to overcome in terms of flood risk. The building was also within the curtilege of a listed house and partly built on an old lime kiln, so these constraints threw up some barriers which we are able to overcome through sensitive design. We retained the existing fabric of the building, but introduced a first floor to create living and sleeping accommodation above flood level. This provided the additional space needed to create a comfortable home and at the same time made the most of the waterfront views.