Extension of 17th century house in Essex

Set in 12 acres of pasture and garden, the original house dates from early 17th century.

The brief was to extend the existing accommodation above the stables and adapt upgrading and  thermal insulation and the quality of the finishes to provide comfortable modern apartment.

The scheme retains the existing ground floor construction and replicates the materials of the existing roof. The first floor is an overtly modern intervention of terracotta and glass. The terracotta rain-screen is used on all four elevations, as a modern equivalent to the traditional file hanging of the main house.  The extensive clear glazing in both gables gives abundant natural light to the kitchen and dining area, and to the bedroom.  Continuous clerestory glazing gives natural light to the living areas and provides visual separation between the traditional roof and the modern terracotta cladding.