A rural timber framed, timber clad extension to an existing cottage in the AONB Wye Valley, providing a relocated ground floor kitchen and bedrooms at first floor.

 

The existing cottage sits adjacent to a known SSSI and within the context of mature woodland, sloped topography and limited public rights of way the house is virtually hidden from view from the public realm. It was extended in the 1980’s, and in recent years underwent a thorough renovation to modern standards, however the rooms provided did not take advantage of the vast landscape and long views of the valley.

 

Our design for the scheme utilises gable ended elevations on two facades with a long sloping roof providing an outdoor terrace at ground floor. The short end gable mimics the existing house but in a contemporary way.

 

The new kitchen is relocated with a better relationship to the main living space and out into the garden aspect of the house. Large windows help to frame the views across the garden and beyond into the landscape. Access off the kitchen dining space creates a connection to a covered outdoor terrace space and garden. At first floor level the extension provides bedrooms with triple aspect over the garden views. Among these apertures to the landscape is a carefully positioned box dormer at high level, offering an early morning view of the sunrise.

 

Clad in featheredged horizontal cedar, the proposal will weather over time and sit comfortably in its woodland setting.

 

Location:  

Lower Meend, St. Briavels

 

Site Constraints/Other:

Wye Valley AONB

 

Status:     

RIBA Stage 6 Completion