Haveling Cottage, Chalford, Stroud

Haveling Cottage completed one year ago and we returned to complete our final inspection. The natural zinc roof and oak frame detailing has started to weather, developing a stunning patina and silvery finish to complement the natural stone. The design sensitively relates to the original historic cottage which is within the Chalford Conservation Area. This for example included recycling the natural stone found on site and introducing natural materials which react to their environment and with time soften in appearance.

A feature slot rooflight fills the kitchen/dining space with natural daylight, while folding doors open the space to the garden and the picturesque views. The extension is highly insulated throughout, coupled with underfloor heating this creates a comfortable living space throughout the year, while the roof projects over the window and doors to control solar gain during warmer weather. The extension also helps to contain heat loss through the fabric of the original cottage, reducing energy consumption and heating costs.

Fir Tree Cottage, Chalford

Works at Fir Tree Cottage have now completed, adding a single storey extension to a traditional Cotswold cottage in Chalford, near Stroud. The design uses natural zinc which forms a lightweight canopy over the glass folding doors which open to the garden. The cottage is within the Chalford Hill Conservation Area and we used natural zinc as a complementary material to the original stone of the cottage. The zinc will weather and soften in appearance, similar to traditional leadwork found on such historic Cotswold properties.

Quietways, Whiteshill, Stroud

Quietways has now completed on site. The timber and natural zinc clad two storey extension adds a new kitchen and dining space with stunning south easterly views over Stroud. A new master bedroom with ensuite and dressing room has an inset balcony with a glazed gable to fill the bedroom with natural daylight.

The all timber frame design is highly insulated with underfloor heating throughout to provide year round comfort. High performance windows and doors help to retain heat and reduce running costs.

Hyde Court, Chalford, Stroud

Work will shortly start on site on the Grade-II Listed property Hyde Court. A contemporary glazed single storey opens the property to the rear garden. A natural copper clad roof will gradually weather and develop a natural patina. We often use natural materials in our work to complement historic buildings. As the copper softens with time it appears both complementary yet contextually sensitive - striking a sympathetic balance between old and new, creating a timeless elegance to the design.

Old Mill Cottage, Quennington, Cirencester

Works have completed on the extension to the Old Mill Cottage, Quennington, Cirencester. The contemporary design adds an open plan living space to a historic Cotswold stone cottage. Ultra thin framed sliding glazed doors open the living space to the picturesque garden and the River Coln. A lightweight green sedum roof floats over the glazed doors supported on two elegant steel posts. The high performance sliding doors retain heat and help to reduce running costs, while the roof overhang provides a canopy to shield the doors from solar gain during warmer weather.

Holcombe Farm Stables, Painswick, Stroud

Planning Permission received for the residential conversion of a Grade-II Listed stables. Located near Painswick, the traditional Cotswolds Stables will be converted into a modern architect designed family home.

We worked collaboratively with Stroud District Council through the Pre-Application process to develop a sympathetic design which retains the historic core and carefully inserts a contemporary design, creating a balance between old and new.

The design removes a series of modern sheds and provides a modest timber framed glazed extension to capitalise on the stunning views of the surrounding fields. The Grade-II Listed Stables will be highly insulated to support the installation of an air source heat pump. Solar slates and an integrated photovoltaic (P.V.) roof will provide electricity to the heat pump and supplement the hot water requirements of the Stables. This will reduce long term running costs and provide a comfortable home with underfloor heating provided throughout.

Downs Farm Cottages, Frampton Mansell, Cirencester

Planning permission received for the alterations and renovations of a Grade-II Listed traditional Cotswold cottage in Frampton Mansell, near Cirencester. The cellar will be brought into every day use and a new staircase will provide safe access to the cellar. A more rational layout will be provided to create a modern and comfortable home within the historic Cotswold cottage.

Trussalls, Bisley, Stroud

Planning permission received for a new single storey dwelling. Located in the centre of Bisley the design will provide a lifetime home, providing flexibility to accommodate future wheelchair use.

The contemporary design includes natural stone and vertical timber cladding, with a thin and lightweight green roof which cantilevers over the south facing glazed elevation. The projecting canopy controls solar gain during warmer weather while the high performance windows and doors retain heat throughout the winter to minimize heating requirements and long term running costs. The roof also includes a large photovoltaic array, providing on site electricity to fuel the heat pump, which in turn provides heating and hot water to the house . The walls, floor and roof are all highly insulated to support the highly sustainable design.

A central atrium provides high levels windows which bring diffuse natural daylight into the centre of the house. This room provides flexibility to suit the current and future living requirements of the family, whereby the space can be closed off with large feature acoustic curtains to provide a separate living space or fully opened to create an open plan living space connected to the kitchen and dining room. The high level windows also draw warm air through the house, improving air quality through natural stack ventilation.

34 Rodborough Avenue, Stroud

Work will shortly start on site with the creation of a highly sustainable and contemporary design of a new house in Rodborough. The site affords stunning views across the valley located at the edge of Rodborough. The three storey dwelling provides a ground floor living arrangement to accommodate future wheelchair use, with a terrace to the rear to enjoy the southerly views across the surrounding landscape. The split level design includes a basement which provides access to the garden, while the top floor has its own inset roof terrace.

Exemplary levels of insulation minimize the heating requirement. This is supported by a MVHR system (Mechanical ventilation heat recovery system) which recycles and extracts warmth from the internal atmosphere while filtering and removing stale air, maintaining a healthier and constant year-round air quality. This reduces the long term heating requirement, whereby there is a reduced demand to the heat pump as it can operate at a lower temperature. The heat pump is powered by photovoltaics panels located on the south facing pitched roof. The panels can also be used to charge electrical vehicles and warm hot water creating a future proofed and self sustaining property.

Knowle House, Cranham

Works are approaching completion on a contemporary extension to a Grade-II Listed house in Cranham. The modest extension has been carefully detailed to provide an exciting light filled living space. A single elongated window provides a stunning panoramic view to the north across the surrounding woodland, while a frameless rooflight joins the extension to the house, casting daylight across the natural stone wall.

High performance triple glazed doors minimize heat loss and this is coupled with exemplary levels of insulation in the walls, floor and roof. The roof awaits the installation of a sedum roof which will provide a finishing touch to the project.

As part of the project we also sensitively repaired and renovated an outbuilding to provide a work from home office, garage and store room. Our approach to sustainability applies to all aspects of the project, and this included the installation of photovoltaic (PV’s) slates on the roof. The slates provide the perfect finish to roof. They are both sensitive to the Grade-II property while also generating electricity to supply the office and house.

Green Cottage

We returned to site a year after the completion of the project to see how the project had adapted to its environment. The natural zinc roof has developed a darker patina closer to a traditional lead colour. The larch cladding is also beginning to silver, and together this means the two materials will soften in appearance, complementing the original stone of the Cotswold cottage.

We specified high quality composite timber and aluminium windows and doors to the project. The aluminium provides a contemporary feel to the design, while the timber gives a more tactile and softer appearance to the inside. This system utilises the natural insulating properties of the wood to minimize heat loss and running costs, while the aluminium protects the wood from long term weathering and movement.

Quietways, Whiteshill, Stroud

Works are underway on a two storey extension to a Cotswold cottage. The extension provides a new open plan kitchen/dining space, with a master bedroom, ensuite and dressing room at first floor which opens onto a covered roof terrace. The design uses natural zinc and larch cladding which will both weather over time and soften in appearance, complementing the setting.

Built into the hillside the extension is designed to its setting, with picturesque views across the valley to the west. Large sliding doors open the living space onto the terrace and connect with the garden.

Haveling Cottage, Chalford, Stroud

A contemporary zinc, oak and stone extension nearing completion. We used natural materials which will naturally weather and soften in appearance to complement the historic cottage. While the extension is contemporary in its design it will appear part of the natural evolution of the property. Careful use of glazing fills the new kitchen and dining space with natural light while providing views across the garden. Folding doors and large opening windows open the living space to the garden, giving a focal point to the house. The contractor will move onto the landscaping and finishing touches. Completed photos to follow shortly.

Brownshill Court, Wick Street, Stroud

Works starting on site for the renovation and residential conversion of two Grade-II Listed Stables to provide accommodation within the grounds of the main house. The Stables will be sensitively repaired and restore to their former glory, with an array of different living spaces, including a double height open plan living area with feature staircase. The renovations will add thermal insulation throughout the Stables as well as high performance windows to provide a modern, low energy and thermally efficient sustainable living space.

Old Glebe House, Bussage, Stroud

Planning permission has been received for a large contemporary single storey extension to a Grade-II Listed house. The extension links the house to an existing Stables, providing an open plan living space which opens onto the garden and capitalizes on the stunning views to the south across the Golden Valley. We carefully negotiated the design through planning, working closely with the Conservation Team at the Local Authority to develop the design. The design draws contrast to the original house to create a clear distinction between old and new. Sympathetic repairs will also restore some of the original features.

Sliding glass doors open onto the garden while a lantern brings daylight into the center of the living space. The lantern also helps to ventilate the space with opening windows drawing cooler air through the space during warmer weather. High performance glazing and exemplary levels of insulation will minimize energy consumption and long term running costs. The roof will project over the glazed doors, shielding against solar gain to maintain a comfortable year round temperature to the extension.

Daneway Millhouse, Sapperton, Cirencester

Planning permission received for the remodel and renovation of a historic Cotswold property located at Daneway Wharf. The design includes a new ground floor extension, first floor extension, replacement outbuilding + privy and landscaping works.

The property is located at the historic wharf, formally a hive of activity on the Thames & Severn Canal. The proposal includes the extensive renovation of the property to provide a sustainable and contemporary Cotswold home. The existing house will be thermally insulated throughout, providing an optimal arrangement to accommodate a new air source heat pump installation to heat the property, minimizing energy consumption while providing year round comfort.

We worked closely with the Conservation team at Cotswold District Council to develop a contemporary design to complement the historic property. An elegant oxidised copper roof, is joined to the house by a strip rooflight which fills the living space below with natural daylight. The extension reorganises the house, providing a bridge over the new living space, which connects to a new feature stairs. An additional extension at first floor adds a glazed gable, also with a copper roof to provide a stunning new master bedroom.

We thoroughly researched the history of the property and its role supporting the Cotswold Arts-and-Crafts movement. The house formerly occupied by workers at the Wharf; also neighboured the steam powered Sawmill, fuelled by coal arriving from boats on the canal. The Sawmill provided wood for use throughout the surrounding area, and in particular the notable Arts-and-Crafts pioneers Ernest Gimson and the Barnsley Brothers, who lived at the top of the valley in Sapperton.

We took inspiration from the site’s heritage, selecting a hand finished copper which has a dark oxidised finish. The roof will be installed by specialist local metalworkers echoing the Arts-and-Crafts traditions synonymous with the area. The roof will continue to weather and develop its natural patina over time.

Below the house an existing outbuilding will be replaced with a new workshop, providing a flexible ancillary space to serve the house. Built into the bankside a wildflower roof will blend the outbuilding with its natural setting, together with the use of natural stone and timber cladding. Large sliding timber doors, conceal the windows and doors to provide privacy and security when the building is not in use. The doors will create a seamless appearance with the vertical timber cladding, forming a modest yet precision detailed and elegant addition to the site.

The Knowle, Oakridge Lynch, Stroud

We were delighted to receive planning permission for a replacement dwelling on a complex site in Oakridge Lynch. The two storey split level home is built into the bank, with the low lying design opening onto the garden to enjoy the picturesque southerly views across the Golden Valley. The change in level across the site, protected Yew trees and historical significance of a neighbouring Grade-II Listed Weaver’s Cottage on the site provided a series of constraints, but also an opportunity to achieve a highly innovative and creative contemporary architectural design.

The design will provide a highly sustainable family home. Exemplary levels of insulation will minimize energy consumption and reduce the long term running costs, while providing year round comfort. A heat pump will be installed to provide heating and hot water, supplied by the electricity generated by the photovoltaic panels (PV’s).

The layout is tailored to the site, using the southerly orientation to provide a bright and daylight filled living space. Shading provided by a planted canopy will control solar gain during summer months.

The design was developed through close collaboration with the Local Authority to address the site constraints and opportunities. The design is positioned to the rear of the site, forming a harmonious relationship with the Grade-II Listed Weaver’s Cottage, whereby the new and old complement one another and demonstrate the evolution of modern living standards.

Timber cladding and natural stone are partnered with a green roof and high performance windows and doors. The materials are both contextually sensitive while being of high quality and hard wearing. They can be locally sourced and this helps to reduce the embodied energy. Furthermore with the demolition of an existing cottage these materials will be repurposed to help form the new home.

Fir Tree Cottage, Chalford

Planning permission received for a single storey contemporary extension to a historic Cotswold cottage, located in a Conservation Area.

The new extension provides an open plan kitchen/dining area, with glazed doors opening onto the garden. A natural zinc roof forms a cantilevered canopy to provide solar shading, while a slot rooflight brings daylight into the rear of the extension.

Haveling Cottage / Knowle House - Site Start

Knowle House and Haveling Cottage are both underway on site. Knowle House involves a contemporary single storey extension to a grade-II listed Cotswold Villa, while the works at Haveling Cottage will remodel the circulation to the traditional Cotswold cottage to centre around a light filled kitchen and dining space. The two projects use materials which naturally weather and age to sit comfortably in their setting including natural stone, zinc and oak. Specialist glazing is used in both projects which will fill the living space with natural daylight, opening onto to the garden, while also providing year round comfort with exemplary thermal performance and minimized heating costs.

Beech Cottage, Bisley, Stroud

Beech Cottage nears completion with only the external landscaping remaining to the house. Works can now begin on the nearby outbuilding to provide a workshop and studio.

The house includes a range of unique light filled spaces, which frame the stunning views across the valley. The exterior and interior share the same attention to detail and we worked closely with the client and contractor to develop the design of each space to achieve an exceptional quality of finish. This involves careful choice of materials to provide exciting and vibrant living spaces.

The high levels of thermal insulation throughout the house, including the upgrade of the historic cottage, meant an air source heat pump could be installed to work with optimal efficiency. The new pump supplies the underfloor heating system throughout the house, as well as providing hot water. This means the house can be sustainably heated, switching away from an oil fed boiler, while also reducing consumption and energy costs.