We initially visited this Cotswold Farmhouse and Barn with our client when it was for sale, acting as a sounding board and an extra set of eyes. We gave guidance on the opportunities of what would be their largest lifetime investment but, more importantly, a home for the rest of their lives.
Blake Architects prepared a masterplan for the whole farm, taking into consideration how they might live, how they might entertain, where they would work when at home, how the garden might be used and, crucially, the best place to sit for sun downers!
Together we then prioritised the immediate repairs . We studied the social and physical history of the Grade II Listed farmhouse to understand how it had evolved over time, noting the elements that had been changed and those that were original. Previously, nearly all historical architectural details had been stripped from the house, with precious few fragments remaining, and our research gave us the knowledge to make informed decisions when we came to plan the remodelling.
You might not notice when walking through a house that the skirting boards have an unusual profile or the glazing in a door has the correct proportion, but the individual parts sing as a chorus and subconsciously feel correct. We removed excretions such as modern porches and added new porches, a full height staircase, canopies and a new rear elevation. These changes unlocked the centre of what had been a dark house, bringing in light and creating views through the house to the landscape beyond.
We undertook all architectural design work and administered the construction process for the client, liaising with their interior/lighting designers and structural engineer.
