Positioned on the edge of the Ridgeway in Oxfordshire, the outstanding feature of this farmhouse site is the far reaching view looking north across the Vale of the White Horse. Our scheme sought to reconnect the buildings with these views while reinstating their original farmyard character. 

We have reduced and simplified the number of buildings that had grown up across the site. A contemporary replacement dwelling has been carefully designed to reinforce the sense of place and relates to the original layout as seen in historical maps and photographs.

To the south, a walled garden is naturally sheltered by the new building and the boundary of an original brick barn and original farmhouse. The traditional farmyard character of the site is restored and the buildings are integrated in to the wider setting. 

The replacement two-storey dwelling is designed to be flexible and suitable for modern family lifestyles and to provide longterm accommodation. The ground floor consists of an open-plan living/ kitchen/ dining area, separate snug and supporting utility/ boot room spaces. A master suite and further two bedrooms along with a family bathroom are located at first floor.

Two accessible bedrooms with ensuite’s are located on the site of the existing stable block, opening onto the courtyard.

An important aspect of the scheme was to retain a number of mature trees. One much loved tree had to be removed which was done carefully carried out by a furniture maker, prepared on site and taken away for seasoning to be made in to the dining room table along with various other pieces. 

The landscaping of the wider site is much more naturalistic in character, sown with native meadow species to improve bio-diversity and provide wildlife habitats. 

New buildings are built to the highest standards of thermal efficiency and using low-energy systems such as air/ ground source heat pump (ASHP/ GSHP), solar array and mechanical ventilation heat recovery (MVHR).

A simple material palette has been chosen to be durable and long lasting. Native oak cladding which will silver with age, bricks reclaimed from the original farmhouse and corten steel inspired metal agricultural buildings. 

A new garage and ancillary storage building condenses the use of several of the existing ancillary domestic outbuildings into one building, significantly reducing the spread of buildings across the site. This is located in a less prominent position to the east of the farmyard and provides a discrete location for cars.