GARDENER'S HOUSE
Residential refurbishment and extension, South Downs
2021 -
Residential refurbishment and extension, South Downs
2021 -
Refurbishment and extension of dilapidated timber-framed cottage in the South Downs National Park. The house is part of a wider complex of farm buildings and is curtilage listed due to its close proximity to the kitchen garden wall of a large 18th Century country house approximately 1km to the north. Whilst it is constructed of a rudimentary timber frame, it is embellished externally with a number of ornate details suggesting perhaps that it was built in the early 20th Century by skilled carpenters employed on the estate, most likely for the use of those tending to the kitchen garden and pleasure grounds to the north east. The house has been uninhabited for several years and is now in a state of deterioration with large sections of the frame and cladding rotted. The former kitchen garden covers 0.7 Hectares, directly to the south west of the house, and is enclosed by a tall garden wall which is largely still intact and listed at Grade II. Early sections of the original wall are in sandstone, however the majority is in red stock brick with a Flemish bond and decorative headers. There are a number of lean-to outbuildings lining the north face of the wall. On approach, the house is largely screened by a steep bank of ferns. A prominent cruciform roof, constructed off of a large central chimney conceals the accommodation below giving the sense of a tent-like canopy whilst clay roof tiles and timber cladding have weathered over time and bedded into the surrounding environment. The proposal seeks to retain as much of this roof structure and cladding as possible, slotting new elements under the broad projecting eaves, replacing the rotten timbers and reconfiguring openings to relate to the new internal layout. The building will be re-clad in Chestnut, sourced from the managed woodland on the site and allowed to naturally weather, preserving the sensitive relationship to the protected landscape. Two single storey lean-to extensions have been added at the rear of the property housing a bathroom and utility space, these are very basic, seemingly of reclaimed materials and in a state of disrepair. Both will be replaced with new additions of similar massing, again tucked below the eaves level to maintain the striking roof form. The interior is arranged around the prominent brick chimney, with the living room to the south and kitchen to the north. The room to the east houses the main bedroom whilst to the west the space is subdivided into a single and a double bedroom. The proposal will rework the layout to create more generous spaces with a double-height living room at the centre taking advantage of the large roof space. The kitchen has been moved to the western wing with the master bedroom facing east to take advantage of morning sunlight. At the back of the house a new snug with a modest projecting bay window provides access to the bathroom, bedroom, and, via a new stair, a first floor gallery space which connects two additional rooms underneath the roof. Ground floor windows to the south and east have been enlarged to improve the connection between the house and the surrounding landscape, with integrated shutters providing natural ventilation. The design of the interior and choice of materials reflects the handcrafted nature of the original building with the exposed rafters and sarking board refurbished, and new joinery from timber sourced on site. Layers of historic paintwork will be stripped from the chimney, the brickwork repointed and exposed throughout the full height of the living space. A raised timber deck will be created at the front of the house, connecting the kitchen, living and bedroom, and separated from the garden wall by a planted buffer. This will be partially covered by timber pergola to help mitigate overheating in the south-facing rooms internally and reduce light pollution. To the west of the house there is a more private garden, connected to the bedroom and screened with new hedges. It would include an outdoor shower, linked to a compact washroom, and enclosed by dense planting. |