the project

Our challenge was to carefully conserve and repair historic elements of this country house and estate buildings, to create an impressive and luxurious modern family home. New sections were designed sympathetically with traditional architecture, incorporating classical detailing in parts and vernacular detailing in other areas. The project incorporated many principals of sustainable building design within a historic listed building including major fabric improvements, high-spec new services and underfloor heating in new areas.

How we worked

We spent time understanding the historical development of the buildings on the estate from the 18th-century original sections, 19th-century additions and newer 20th-century areas. This led to detailing options for the listed buildings while respecting and their historical setting with conservation architecture. We advised that several of the less in-keeping modern structures could be demolished, altered or replaced with more appropriate traditional architecture. We designed substantial additions to the grade B listed main house to meet our client’s brief and redeveloped large areas of the interiors to create a light, flowing, large family home fit for 21st-century living.

Success of the project

The project has restored and transformed the main estate house from three separate dwellings into one spectacular large comfortable house again, celebrating its historic features. The classical design of the existing house had the three Vitruvian architectural principals of Durability, Utility and Beauty in abundance and these have again been brought to the forefront. The project incorporated the use of local timber, including oak and Douglas Fir. We are delighted to have conserved and renovated this group of important historic buildings and the owners are pleased with their very special warm and comfortable private home.

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