A modern self build extension to a Grade II Listed 15th Century cottage in North Shropshire, creating a modern family home for a couple, their children and grandchildren.
The house is in an idyllic rural setting surrounded by rolling Shropshire farmland, with magnificent views to Welsh hills. The medieval oak-framed cottage was extensively restored, and a new modern extension added as a cluster of buildings in a barn/ gabled form, reflecting the agricultural heritage of the local area. A glass link containing the kitchen is the architectural focus point of the home, allowing the style and massing of the new wing to act as modern counterpoint to the original cottage.
The restoration work utilised natural, breathable building materials including green oak, cork insulation and lime plaster. The new wing is a timber frame construction by Lowfield, also highly insulated, with some steelwork necessary to support the flat roof structure and expansive glazing. The scheme also incorporates a ground-source heat pump and solar panels.
The project has been a collaborative process with Lowfield and a team of local specialist consultants and contractors, project managed by the Architect, William Flint. The original scheme was developed in collaboration between Flint Architecture and Arrol Architects to achieve Planning and Listed Building consent. Tim Ratcliffe Associates provided advice on the historic building specifications and traditional materials, and the majority of the trades have been locally sourced from the immediate area.
The clients wanted a highly insulated and air-tight home, that would provide a comfortable internal environment with minimal heating demand, and low maintenance. They liked the idea of an open-plan design and it was also very important to maintain a close connection and flow between the old cottage and new wing, so that the two buildings blended well and did not feel disconnected.
The view of the surrounding areas was also a key requirement – they wanted to maximise on a feeling of openness and view of the farm, and let as much natural light in as possible. That led to some design challenges especially with the frameless corner glazing, which required the end-gables of the timber structure act as cantilevers, supporting the end of the beam above the corner windows. The structural solutions that Lowfield came up with has been very satisfactory.
The clients are absolutely delighted with the outcome. The connection between the old cottage and the kitchen has been a great success, they love their light-filled kitchen and both of them have their own home offices on the ground floor, with magnificent views. The upstairs bedroom spaces with the exposed raked rafters have also been very successful.
