The original cottage dates from the 17th Century and had been extended throughout the decades with various construction methods. The decision was made to create a modern family home in this idilyic part of the countryside to take advantage of the views of the sugar loaf mountain and surrounding countryside. The building was stripped back to its original fabric and then the rebuilding could start. Nicknamed the 'Alps project', we decided to retain and expose as much of the original internal fabric and stonework of the house as possible and wrap all the various extensions outside in an homogegenous wrapping of new external insulation and dark render. Corrugated sheeting was used for the roof to tie in with local rural vernacular farm buildings and outhouses and the existing fireplace was re purposed with a new high output stove with Logs sourced locally . The main living areas benefit with a double height space, loft and panoramic views of the hills. A rated , the house uses a fabric first approach, high insulation , triple glazing, air to water heat pump and Mechanical Heat recovery Ventilation, with the provision for PV installtion to provide off grid living.
