Old Ullenwood Lodge, Cheltenham

Planning permission received for the residential extension, renovations and remodel of a traditional historic Cotswold vernacular house. The design replaces an existing mock historic extension to the original house with a contemporary two storey design, creating a sensitive balance between old and new.

Natural dark slates, a natural metal seamed roof and stone render combine to complement the original Cotswold stone of Ullenwood Lodge. A feature glass corner will open the kitchen / dining space to the garden, with sliding glass doors opening onto to a Juliet balcony. The material palette combines natural materials which will weather and soften in appearance to complement the historic Cotswold stone, remaining sensitive to the original house and wider Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

A range of sustainable design features will upgrade the existing house including the addition of insulated render and high performance heritage replacement windows. This will be coupled by exemplary levels of insulation to the new extension, retaining heat and reducing long term running costs, while also supporting the future installation of a more sustainable heating system.

A new Cotswold stone garage with a green roof it set below the house and built into the bank to preserve views from the first floor kitchen / dining space.

Brownshill Court, Painswick, Stroud

Works have completed on the residential conversion of two Grade-II* Listed traditional Cotswold stone Stables within the grounds of Brownshill Court, near Painswick, Stroud. The project included the comprehensive renovation, extension and remodel of the two buildings to provide a 4-Bedroom and 1-Bedroom property. Extensive repairs faithfully restored the charm of the two buildings, cleaning the Cotswold stone and repointing with a carefully selected lime mortar.

A feature sculptural staircase made of steel and oak links the three floors of the East Stables, opening to a double height open plan living space. Underfloor heating warms the new living space with each building thermally insulated throughout, including new high performance heritage windows and doors, retaining heat and reducing long term running costs.

Hyde Court, Chalford, Stroud

Works have completed on the renovation and extension of Hyde Court, Chalford, Stroud. A new copper clad extension opens the rear of the house to the views across the Golden Valley to Chalford. The design provides a careful balance between old and new by using natural copper which will continue to oxidise and darken with time, developing a beautiful patina to complement the light Cotswold stone. The design of the copper mullions replicates the proportions of the original stone mullions windows, creating a frame to the doors which open the living space to the garden. The copper cladding is dressed over an Accoya timber frame to provide added durability.

The works also included an overhaul of the services to provide a more comfortable and thermally efficient home. Underfloor heating below the new herringbone terracotta tiles warms the ground floor with new cast iron radiators throughout the upper floors. The attic has been converted to provide two new bedrooms and a bathroom with impressive vaulted ceilings. The addition of insulation throughout the attic will help to provide year round comfort and reduced heating costs.

Kingston House, Leonard Stanley, Stroud

Planning permission granted for a new single storey house in the Cotswold village of Leonard Stanley, near Stroud, Gloucestershire. The contemporary design provides a new lifetime home for the client, built within the garden of the current home. Natural Cotswold limestone and render combine in a double pitched roof design. A central rooflight brings light into the centre of the living space, while a series of sliding glass doors open to the garden. A planted pergola structure controls solar gain together with timber fins in front of the feature glazed gable. The design creates a careful balance between old and new, adopting local materials which reinforce the distinctive and traditional Cotswold vernacular, while creating an exciting light filled and modern home. Work will start on site later this year.

Timbercombe Cottage, Dillay Farm, Bisley, Stroud

Planning permission granted for the restoration and extension of Timbercombe Cottage a Grade-II Listed nestled in the valley of Dillay Farm. The traditional 1-bed Cotswold cottage will be fully restored, carefully salvaging the original features of the building which have fallen into disrepair in recent years. A modest timber clad lean-to extension will provide a new studio space and future flexibility to its inhabitants. Despite the remote location the Cotswold cottage will provide a comfortable and modern home, while also being sympathetic to the history of the property. Construction will begin in Spring 2024.

Horsepools House, Edge, Painswick, Stroud

Planning permission granted for a two and one storey extension to Horsepools House, a Grade II Listed historic Cotswold house in Edge, Painswick, near Stroud. Construction will begin in 2024 to add a new sympathetically designed sustainable and contemporary living space, while also renovating, adapting and restoring the historic property.

The design includes a natural copper roof, with large sliding glass doors opening the kitchen dining space to the garden. The design was carefully developed and negotiated through the planning process, working collaboratively with the Conservation Officer at Stroud District Council. A feature glass corner detail and projecting bay window; including a window seat, frame views to the outside. Renovations and restoration works throughout the property will sympathetically update the Grade II Listed historic Cotswold house, balancing old and new to provide a stunning family home.

Hyde Court, Chalford, Stroud

Works are concluding on the renovation and extension of Hyde Court, Chalford. The design adds a copper extension to the Grade-II Listed house. The tall feature mullions, clad in copper, subtly replicate the proportions of the original stone windows, providing a frame to the glass doors, which open the living space to the picturesque garden to enjoy the views across the Golden Valley. Final photos to follow when the project completes over the coming weeks.

Heath Cottage, Amberley, Stroud

Planning permission granted for the extension and renovation of a traditional Cotswold cottage in Amberley, near Nailsworth, Stroud. The design uncovers the original Cotswold stone cottage, revealed in historical photos, and extends to provide a four bedroom property and new kitchen dining space. Natural stone, lime render and zinc combine in a design which carefully balances old and new, restoring the original cottage, while adding a sympathetic new contemporary extension.

A double gable design is connected by a feature central rooflight which brings natural daylight into the first floor. The existing cottage is thermally upgraded throughout, including new windows and doors, as well as internal wall insulation, roof and floor to reduce energy consumption and provide year round comfort. Construction will begin on site in Spring 2024.

Little Dockem, Coates, Cirencester

Planning Permission received for two single storey extensions and the full retrofit and renovation of a traditional Cotswold cottage in Coates near Cirencester. The design adds a contemporary copper roof kitchen dining space to the rear of the house, while a more traditional design is provided to the second extension, adding a utility room.

Work will begin in Spring 2024 to retrofit and sensitively update the historic Cotswold cottage, to provide a sustainable lifetime home. The house will be fully insulated throughout to support the installation of an air source heat pump, transitioning away from an oil heating system. Solar PV panels on the roof will provide electricity, while also heating water and charging vehicles.

The traditional leaded steel frame windows will be replaced with visually identical but high performance windows to retain heat. This will maintain the character and charm of the historic Cotswold cottage, while radically improving the comfort of the property. The original solid natural stone walls will be insulated internally with wood fibre insulation, and the existing roof and floors all thermally upgraded to minimize energy consumption.

Park House, Painswick, Stroud

Planning permission received for the extension, renovation and retrofit of a historic Cotswold house, near Painswick, Stroud. The design adds a glazed single storey extension, with large sliding doors and rooflight to open the kitchen / dining space to the garden. The extension carefully knits together the historic Cotswold house with a 1990’s extension, to link the two buildings. The 1990’s extension is then extensively renovated, re-modelled and retrofitted to transform its appearance and performance.

The design will transform the sustainability of the property, adding insulation throughout, while providing solar slates and PV panels to generate electricity and hot water, supporting the installation of a heat pump. Timber cladding, natural Cotswold stone and copper cladding combine to complement the historic property - all natural materials which will soften with time to be sympathetic to their setting.

Borough Farm, King Stanley, Stroud

Borough Farm has just completed on site, adding a contemporary single storey extension to the Grade-II Listed property. Borough Farm is an impressive three storey Cotswold vernacular property in King Stanley, near Stroud. Natural zinc, stone and dark slates combine in a design which is both sympathetic to the original property while adding a light filled living space which opens to the picturesque garden. Large sliding glass doors, together with a series of rooflights help to ventilate the space. The careful adaptation of the property will provide a lifetime home for our clients, including a ground floor living arrangement and inbuilt flexibility to later adapt the space as needed.

An overhaul of the existing services will also improve the long term efficiency of the property. High levels of insulation to the walls, floor, and roof help to retain heat, while underfloor heating throughout the extension will act as a heat sink to the original historic property helping to reduce long terms running costs.

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.