We were commissioned by our clients to design a light and airy open-plan kitchen and dining space with plenty of natural light whilst also capturing the views of the fields at the rear of their property. We not only achieved that but also took our designs a step further to create a beautiful first-floor ensuite bathroom to the master bedroom which our clients love! Our initial brief was very clear and concise, with our clients having a good understanding of what they wanted to achieve – the removal of the existing conservatory to create an open and light-filled space that then connects on to what was originally a small and dark kitchen. The two-storey and single-storey rear extension with beautiful high ceilings, roof lights, and French doors with side lights on the rear, flood the interior spaces with natural light and allow for a beautiful, expansive feel whilst also affording stunning views over the fields. This new extension allows for an open-plan kitchen/dining space that feels airy and light whilst also maximising the views of the surrounding countryside. The only change during the concept design was the decision to work in collaboration with the client’s adjoining neighbour to design and build their extensions together allowing a new party wall to be created and the removal of wasted space between the two properties. This allowed them both to gain more room inside both properties and was essentially a win-win for both clients, with the original concept design being kept the same but on a larger footprint to include the new party wall. The different floor levels between the two properties with their extensions and building on the party wall line in the new wall was a definite challenge. It allowed us only a very small area to work to achieve both of the extensions and the foundations needed to be very deep due to the ground conditions, as advised by Building Control. We overcame this by working in collaboration with the structural engineer to design the foundations and the work of the project manager in managing the team and site efficiently. We love how large and light-filled the space feels inside, the stunning high ceilings, and the amazing views of the surrounding countryside on the rear of the property. The finishes inside and outside have blended seamlessly with the existing house whilst exposing some original features such as the stone walls, and the connection between the original cottage and the new extension has allowed the property to still retain its character. There are a number of special features to the design – the light airy high ceilings in the extension, the open plan kitchen and dining space, the connection to the original cottage whilst opening up the rear of the property into the extension via an existing doorway, the views of the beautiful countryside, the hidden nature of the extension allowing the cottage to retain its original character and the high-end materials which allows the new additions to blend in seamlessly. The property is situated within the AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and our designs were sympathetic to the Cotswold vernacular and character of the existing property, whilst maximising its views of the stunning surrounding countryside. The works have massively improved our client’s lifestyles and the way they use their home. The previous conservatory was originally used as a dining space however the temperatures inside made it unusable during hot and cold periods and also had the effect of making the kitchen very small and dark, with the existing stone walls blocking out natural light and only a small window to allow for light and ventilation. The original kitchen didn’t feel open, warm, or welcoming for our clients. The new extension allowed us to break through the existing external stone wall to create a beautiful open-plan kitchen and dining space which is both warm, cosy, and welcoming, but also filled with natural light and affords stunning views of the gardens and fields beyond the property. The space has had a huge impact on our client’s feelings towards their main living areas and created a real showcase entertainment space.

ストラスブールにあるラグジュアリーな広いコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれなダイニング (濃色無垢フローリング、薪ストーブ、クロスの天井、壁紙) の写真

The Black Barn is located between Milford-on-Sea and Barton-on-Sea in Hampshire. It is surrounded by open countryside and benefits from a spring-fed pond and views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight. The combination of super-insulation and extensive on-site renewables and a large vegetable garden makes this a quasi off-grid house. Consent for this replacement dwelling on this sensitive site was obtained in 2021 by working closely with Jerry Davies Planning Consultancy. The rural setting was the driver for the ‘agricultural vernacular’ architectural forms. The barn volumes are clad in highly durable black corrugated Eternit fibre-cement panels, the colour referencing the history of the previous house on this site. Prior to World War II the previous house had been painted white, which made it a distinctive navigational landmark for the Luftwaffe. The house was painted black during the war and became known as “Black Cottage”. The south-east facing roof to the house is fitted with 44No. 335-watt Vridian Clearline Fusion in-roof solar panels with integrated VELUX roof lights. This 14.7kWp array provides the electricity for the ground source heat pump, day-to-day usage and electric vehicle charging with the surplus being stored in a 13.5kW Tesla Powerwall 2 home battery. The garage building has a further 16No. panels providing an additional 5.3kWp output. As a replacement dwelling in the green belt the gross internal area of the new house was limited to a maximum of 130% of the area of the original two-storey house. Ancillary guest accommodation is provided by virtue of Section 13 of the 1968 Caravan Act which allows for a mobile home of a maximum length of 20 metres, maximum width of 6.8 metres and maximum internal height of 3.05 metres (the annexe does not benefit from a vaulted ceiling in the way that the main house does). The garage building was granted consent as an outbuilding as part of the planning application and provides storage for equipment to tend to the 5.5 acre (2.26ha) site, part of which has been seeded to become a wildflower meadow. The front of the house is arranged as a vegetable garden / potager.