When the cedar French doors opened for business at Westport Architecture one year ago, it marked the culmination of a long-held dream by architect Stephen West to own and restore the charming little Flatts building that for 40 years had housed Dismont Cycle Shop.

Known for his love of traditional Bermuda architecture, and the winner of multiple awards for his designs in that vernacular, Mr. West was never in any doubt that the quoin-trimmed two-storey structure, whose deeds stretch back to 1812, would make a fine headquarters for his business, and benefit greatly from sensitive renovation to bring it back to its glory days.

In his mind's eye, he also saw the finished project as an asset to the charm of tiny Flatts Village, so he approached the owner, Mr. Kingsley Dismont, about acquiring it. It took five years before the two completed their negotiations and the building became his. A further six months would pass before Planning gave the green light for work to begin.

"Mr. Dismont was absolutely first class to work with, he was so nice," Mr. West says. "In fact, I had him wet the roof when we finished it, and when we have an official opening I want him to cut the ribbon."

As is common with old buildings, No. 11 North Shore Road, Hamilton Parish had a chequered history in its two centuries plus of existence. "The building is 250 years old or thereabouts, and was originally a warehouse because sailing vessels came right into this harbour and tied up," Mr. West said. "Then, at some stage it became a private home, and then two private homes, one up and one down, and a music school in the early 1960s by Gandhi Burgess. Then Mr. Dismont owned it for 40 years."

Naturally, it had its secrets, some of which it gave up reluctantly. For example, Mr. West's first impression that the building's exterior was plastered proved erroneous only after a half-inch thick layer of paint was chipped away.

Similarly, the ground floor joists only went to a sleeper wall set inside the main wall, instead of being either set into the main wall or on a joist ledge. Also, the waters of Flatts Inlet ran under the building, presenting a challenge with regard to creating a new water tank. Mr. West also knew from old deeds that the waterside boundary extended well out into the waters of Flatts inlet, and part of the retaining wall, which had been destroyed in a storm, had never been replaced to the original line, meaning one fifth of the entire property was missing.

Structurally, the outer walls needed strengthening and repair, and the roof lathes and slates were shot, but on the plus side, there was a treasure trove of cedar beams and joists still in their original, rough hewn state, which where reusable and remain in place today.

Clearly, there was much to do, and C.W. Construction and Landscaping Company Ltd. was charged with the assignment. Work began with a gutting of the interior and removal of the wooden flooring and joists at ground level. A new concrete floor, eight inches lower than the original, was then laid. A reinforced ring beam was placed around the entire structure at the second floor level to give added strength and to support the recycled cedar floor joists. "Bow ties" (reinforced concrete and metal rod dove tails) were also mortared into the exterior walls to correct severe cracks. At roof level, the original cedar rafters and collar ties were retained, but new lathes and slate replaced the old.

Every bit of cedar throughout the building, including recycled joists, existing fireplace lintel, and collar ties, was painstakingly stripped back, sanded and refinished by Brian and Phillip Martin under the watchful eye of foreman Luis Carvalho, who has been with Mr. West for almost 20 years.

Using old cedar Mr. West had acquired from Danny Martin and Colin Curtis, Mr. Carvalho made from scratch all of the cedar top and double hung windows, the French front doors, and the interior and exterior batten and board doors and shutters. Plastered stud partitioning was used to create a reception area, conference room, bathroom and fitted kitchenette on the ground floor, and a four-station draughting room and private office upstairs.

A unique spiral staircase designed by Mr. West, with pine treads, copper pole and balustrades, and solid brass handrail, connects the two levels.

The ground floor is finished in polished French stone tile, while varnished pine floors prevail upstairs.

On the upper floor, the renovated cedar roof support beams and cross beams are shown to great effect against the stark white walls and ceiling plaster, the whole of which is further enhanced by a combination of natural light streaming through the little windows and subtly placed lighting fixtures. Wide cedar tie beams double as book shelves, and a small loft houses 34 years worth of Mr. West's drawings.

Beautiful views of Flatts inlet, the changing tides under the bridge, the Aquarium and Harrington Sound are afforded from all working areas, and the entire building is redolent with the smell of cedar. Sturdy reproduction antique furniture is used sparingly, and specially imported bathroom fixtures hark back to more gracious times. The kitchenette counter is polished granite, complemented by a copper sink and tap.

As befits a die-hard cricket fan who owns an extensive collection of memorabilia, Mr. West has managed to accommodate some of it in every room. The display includes helmets worn by international Test cricketers, historic photographs, original prints and cartoons, signed bats and balls, a rare commemorative plate and medal, a prized cartoon drawn by his son Britten at age seven, and much more.

The ground floor verandah, supported by recycled cedar tie beams and refinished in antique brick surfacing, provides shade, shelter and water views. Beneath it lies the water tank, the construction of which involved deft use of a swimming pool liner, fast-drying poured concrete, and rapidly erected walls of backfilled concrete block to outfox the incoming tide which, at one point, had the wet concrete floor floating on the liner like wood on the sea. Landscaping is still in progress but includes raised planters, a lawn area (currently being treated and replanted) and palm trees. A rustic cedar branch fence is another of Mr. Carvalho's triumphs, and a personal "first."

With the briefest of instructions from Mr. West, he went on to create different "panels" between the support posts, of which his mentor is particularly proud.

"Each panel is a piece of art," he says. "Luis is a pure artist, he can do anything." Beyond the fence, a narrow, brick-trimmed dock surmounts the repaired sea wall, whose replaced bits now blend imperceptibly with the rest. Among the many exterior details, window sills have been deliberately made irregular to successfully create the impression of great age and wear, and antique copper ship's lanterns provide lighting. Quoins are finished in sparkling white, providing dramatic counterpoint to the dark cement wash tone of the walls.

"Flatts Village has so many different colours that we decided to put on an old traditional colour that contrasts well with the cedar," Mr. West says.

Of the extensive varnished cedar, the architect explains: "In the old days cedar was always painted, but it didn't cost over $40 a board foot finished then either. Back then it was also considered a trash wood, but today it isn't, so that is why we varnished it, and today that is accepted." There is no doubt that the renovated category two listed building forms a splendid addition to the area, and a fine reminder of just how worthwhile it is to preserve Bermuda's traditional architectural heritage. Not surprisingly, it has already won two awards this year, one from the Bermuda National Trust and a Bermudian magazine "Best of Bermuda" Gold Award.

"I cannot tell you how great a job my guys did. The work speaks for itself, in my opinion," the proud owner says.

Not surprisingly, the building has also become a real attraction for visitors and locals alike.

"I'd like to have a dollar for every picture that's been taken from Flatts bridge, and every day people come in here wanting to see the building," Mr. West says. From a business standpoint, the move has been a real "plus" for everyone in the company - himself, his son and partner Tripp, who is an honours graduate with degrees in Fine Arts and Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design; technician and lifelong friend, Peter Profit, and secretary Maria Payne. "I have always said it doesn't matter where your business is, if you do decent work clients will come to you, and this place has become a signature card," Mr. West said. "We've been here for over a year now and we absolutely love it. I've only been to town seven times since I moved."