Restoration and Extension of Existing Cottage together with Conservation of Barns.
A 630m² house for two writers who retired to the country.
The clients’ original concept was to purchase and replace a derelict farm, in order to gain consent for a large new house in the countryside.
Changes in planning law restricted the replacement of dwellings in open countryside. A strategy was developed to restore the existing cottage, convert the barns to provide new accommodation, and to link them together with a contemporary glass structure forming the kitchen, dining and sitting rooms at the heart of the house.
The cottage contains two writers studies on the ground floor, and three guest bedrooms above; whilst the converted barn wing contains a TV and music room, guest bedroom and master bedroom.
The garage wing includes a woodworking workshop and sculpture studio.
The house has numerous green features, including ground source heat pump, solar water heating, heat recovery ventilation, triple glazing, rainwater recycling, and 350mm of recycled insulation in the walls and roofs.
