The extension provides a unique and contemporary addition to an existing Grade II listed barn dwelling, which is sympathetic and in keeping with the context of the rural agricultural aesthetic. In the wider landscape setting the extension is viewed as an informal lean to building, a simple and traditional structure that is commonly found around farms and rural agricultural environments. Viewed more closely, the extension presents itself as a stand alone addition, clearly separated from the fabric of the existing brick barn structure by a glass link. This allows the extension to make minimal contact with the existing barn, reducing any negative impact - both visually and physically, and preserving the character and fabric of the existing barn in the least obtrusive manner.
The extension was awarded the residential category winner in the West Lancashire Design Awards 2017, with the panel of judges expressing that they appreciated "the simplicity and sensitivity of the design and high quality of the finished work".
location : lathom
status : complete
notes : listed building; green belt; extension
awards : Winner - Residential category - West Lancashire Design Awards 2017 .
The School House is a Grade II listed building situated in a Conservation Area, dating from the 19th Century. Our clients had an exciting aspiration to extend the former school house with a sympathetic and contemporary addition, to help augment the connection between the wonderful property and the magnificent garden.
Our proposals draw inspiration from the School House, utilising the colour and texture of the existing property, a minimal palette of materials, and a contrasting form, to ensure minimal impact on this historic listed building. Limestone recycled from demolished outbuildings have been used to create new wall panels, and charred timber cladding boards provide a relationship to the existing black boarding on the house. The contemporary form and layout provide our clients with a unique extension to an individual historical home of character and significant local importance.
location : lune valley
status : complete
notes : listed building; conservation area; green belt; extension
The design for this single-storey extension explores the opportunities for creating a unique and successful addition to the rear of a detached home. We are often provided with a brief that requires the need for an extension to family living areas and to help provide a better connection between internal and outdoor living areas. Each project is unique, but our approach to each brief remains as focussed and meticulous as the next. We develop an understanding of place to inform the creation of space, with particular attention to the use of materials and details.
In this instance, the plan and form of the extended accommodation is uncomplicated. The straightforward geometry provided a space for us to focus on the details and selection of materials. The detailing of large format windows and skylights help to create a visual connection between internal and outside spaces, whilst the use of some materials both inside as well as outside further develops this relationship. The considered selection of materials helps to break down the simple square plan format and create a number of unique spaces within a single room.
The design and detail of this unique space helps to realise our clients’ aspirations for a unique extension to their family home that is both functional and enjoyable, whilst enhancing their family life.
location : aughton
status : complete
notes : extension
awards : West Lancashire Design Awards 2019 - Small Residential Category - Shortlisted + Highly Commended.
This period property is full of character and detail, and located within a prominent position within a Conservation Area. The owners had an exciting aspiration to extend the family home, to enhance the relationship between the internal space and the wonderful garden. We were invited to provide designs for a garden pavilion that would provide a family sunroom to connect seamlessly with the external environment and garden living area.
The contemporary design provides an interesting contrast to the existing dwelling, whilst not detracting from the character and history of this magnificent property. The floor to ceiling glazing provides wide views of the garden and reduces the visual and transitional barriers between the inside and outside spaces.
Significant time was given to material selection for the project. The application of copper metal cladding draws on the strong red colour on the existing house, and will bring an interesting dynamic to the extension as the material changes in texture and colour over the coming years. The rugged and coarse texture of the charred cedar timber cladding contrasts with the minimal form and smooth appearance of the adjacent building. Together the design and materials create a dynamic and successful addition to this fantastic family home.
location : parbold
status : complete
notes : conservation area; extension
awards : West Lancashire Design Awards 2019 - Small Residential Category - Shortlisted + Highly Commended.
Owens Farm dates to the 17th Century, and has been listed Grade II by English Heritage since 1968. Our clients kindly invited us to provide designs for a contemporary and sympathetically designed extension, to replace a dated conservatory that had fallen into disrepair. In addition, our brief included the renovation and extension of an existing outbuilding to include a pool room.
The design proposals are purposefully simple in form and structure, to avoid conflict with the significant and historical context. The minimal detailing and reduced palette of contrasting materials allow the character of the existing listed building to remain as the focal point. The two extensions are similar in design and utilise the same materials to unify the development and provide an uncomplicated and successful response to the clients' brief.
location : ormskirk
status : complete
notes : listed building; green belt; extensions; swimming pool
Our designs are very much context driven - we search for inspiration and reason for our designs within the existing environment, landscape and buildings. Sometimes we are faced with some unusual or complex situations, which require a unique response. We endeavour to look on these conditions as having potential - an opportunity to be creative.
The interesting form of our clients’ existing house provided inspiration for this contemporary extension. The design is a subtle reflection of the offset apex to the roof of the main house and playfully mimics the earlier architectural style to create a unique family living space. The extension utilises high quality materials, including black zinc and Western Red Cedar cladding, which add to the external quality of the host property.
location : aughton
status : complete
notes : extension
Our proposals to extend this barn conversion dwelling are purposefully contemporary in design, to strike a visually contrasting approach to extending our clients home. The proposals respond to the fantastic location, with long and wide views across open farmland influencing the introduction of large format glazing.
The creative design solution responds to the clients’ brief and provides a strong contrast to the existing building, preserving the character of the host dwelling, clearly distinguishing the new from the old, and creating its own identity. Timber cladding is selected as a natural and sustainable resource, and relates directly to local vernacular - timber clad barns within the rural landscape. The zinc metal will roof also resonate with the surrounding agricultural buildings - a strong connection to the agricultural aesthetic and similar in colour to the existing slate roof tiles. Grey facing bricks provide texture and artificial age and character, to provide a strong contemporary counterpoint to the historical old brick + stone barn and clean straight lines of the timber boarding.
location : halsall
status : construction
notes : green belt; extension; barn conversion
Subsequent to the completion of a previous extension to his home, our client requested that further design work be undertaken to provide an further extension to this Grade II listed barn conversion dwelling. The open brief to provide a contemporary master bedroom suite extension has allowed us to creatively explore the opportunities of form, texture and materials for a further contrasting addition to this collection of rural 'agricultural' buildings.
The new master bedroom suite will be wrapped in charred timber cladding boards - a monochromatic silhouette that provides a distinct and contemporary counterpoint to the history and character of the listed barn buildings. The strong geometrical form and arrangement of openings, mimic the local rural vernacular and previous farm buildings that may have occupied the property - a piggery, shippon, tractor shed.
The master suite will be accessed via a transparent glass link passage, providing a discreet connection to the existing home, with minimum visual and physical impact on the listed building and the Green Belt context.
location : lathom
status : construction
notes : listed building; green belt; extension
The success of our projects can often hinge on the meeting of the new and old. Our clients brief to extend their home of character with a minimal and contemporary architectural aesthetic has demanded a rigorous and considered approach to the design of the proposed extensions and remodelling. Previous additions to the original dwelling have been removed, to ensure the preservation of the original details and features, and to augment the contrasting relationship between the new extensions and existing context.
The proposals are designed to contrast with the existing dwelling and not mimic the earlier architectural style, to make a clear representation between the old and the new. The design is purposefully contemporary, minimal in form, and utilises high quality materials that add to the quality of the host property, but do not detract from the character of the existing house.
The design layout, form and materials are informed and inspired by our Clients' affection for Japan, and the ideals that underpin its culture and mindful approach to everyday life.
location : aughton
status : complete
notes : character dwelling; extension; interiors by Rachael @ Feather + Paint ; photography by Ian Shard
A contemporary rear extension featuring a palette of facing stone with dark zinc contrasting details. Our proposals draw on the surrounding context, taking inspiration from the colour and texture of the existing stone wall and adjacent church yard. The contemporary form and layout provide our clients with a unique extension to enjoy entertaining and augment connection to the rear garden.
location : dentons green
status : complete
notes : extension
The proposals provide a contemporary dwelling house that successfully responds to the clients’ brief, whilst having minimal impact on the green belt setting. The proposed design is context driven - a simple but clear design vernacular that has strong visual and physical connections with its garden, and extends from the landscape itself.
The design of the house and material palette are inspired by and drawn directly from the surrounding garden. Vertical wooden cladding boards to the first floor evoke the surrounding woodlands, balanced on a ground floor foundation of linear brickwork, which is carved directly from the landscape - a floating timber box, suspended on a plinth of bedrock.
The house plan is formed of two wings that are rotated about a central atrium and vertical circulation space, a central axis that provides vertical movement but also a shift in the plan layout. This rotation firstly allows the house to relate successfully to the existing road frontage, and secondly augments the relationship between the house, the garden and embraces the fantastic views of open countryside beyond.
location : ormskirk
status : planning approved - technical design
notes : green belt; replacement dwelling
The proposals for this unique and contemporary extension create a successful addition to a family home that responds to its context, whilst embracing the long views of the surrounding landscape and preserving the character of the Conservation Area in which it is located. The brief from our client was to provide an extension that is carefully and sympathetically designed, suited to the needs of the growing family.
In responding to this brief, we have drawn our design from the immediate context of the surrounding fields, a landscape that is in constant flux, which is continually changing throughout the year. The varying widths and depths of Western Red Cedar timber cladding will weather with time, to a silver grey patina. Sawtooth brickwork details reflect the movement of the undulating fields, and a green living roof brings the meadow and landscape deep into the inhabited landscape. Large windows and sliding doors enhance the relationship with the garden and augment the connection between internal and external spaces. The design and materiality create a unique and continuous dialogue with the surrounding and continually changing landscape, whilst providing a successful addition to our Clients' family home.
location : bispham
status : complete
notes : conservation area; green belt
We were invited to assist an enthusiastic local developer who takes pride in developing unique buildings of historical character. The Victorian water tower in Ormskirk, built in 1860, was built to provide water to the local workhouse and then Ormskirk Hospital. The iconic local landmark had fallen into disuse by the mid-1980's, and our client acquired the building and sought to breathe a new lease of life into this fantastic structure.
The tower is to be divided into two dwellings, with the upper home to be accessed via a staircase and lift tower extension. The design of the extension is intentionally industrial, inspired by the form and history of the water tower. The simple form and material palette of the extension does not detract from the character of the main tower, and secures the long term future of a significant landmark building.
location : ormskirk
status : complete
notes : local historical landmark
awards : Winner - West Lancashire Design Awards 2019 - Conversion Category.
The extension provides an example of how simple geometric form and attention to detail can create a unique, light-filled addition for great family living.
The brief from our client was to provide a light filled extension to their home, and to create an open plan area focused on social family living. The client has a love for cooking and an added element to the brief was to provide a unique kitchen, which was both functional but a joy to cook in.
Beginning with the simple form of a brick cube, openings were carved to create slots of glazing and lightwells, bringing natural light deep into the living space. A slight shift in plan creates interest and helps to define internal spaces. Contrasting brickwork continues the visual effect of separation, with the help of deep shadow lines. Further penetrations open up views of the rear garden and augment the connection between the internal and external environment.
location : ormskirk
status : complete
notes : extension
The brief from our client for this new home was to provide a single storey dwelling to the rear garden of their existing home, and to provide a design that was both ‘quirky’ but in-keeping with the traditional vernacular of the surrounding area. The internal layout organises rooms and spaces in a logical and hierarchical manner. The quieter bedroom and study areas are collected together and located to the far side of the property, whilst social and living areas are located nearer the main entrance to the home, wrapped around a central terrace and entertaining area. Large open plan living areas address the rear south facing garden, where glazed walls and fully opening foldaway doors help to integrate the internal and external areas of the dwelling, creating a seamless transition to the pleasant rear garden. Projecting window box seats, and a timber clad garden pavilion with wildflower green roof, extend into the rear landscaped garden and help to augment the integration of the new dwelling into the established garden context.
location : aughton
status : complete
notes : new dwelling
awards :
Winner - Landscaping category - West Lancashire Design Awards 2017.
Shortlisted - Residential category - West Lancashire Design Awards 2017.
