Reimagining a rural family home

Following a fruitless search for a new house, our clients approached RRA Architects to discuss what might be possible. They had been looking for a home that better suited family life, however, we felt their existing property already had something special: a wonderful rural setting and far-reaching views across the Cotswolds countryside. So, we suggested exploring the potential of the house they already had. Although the original property was spacious, the layout was awkward and did not make the most of its location.

Improving space, flow and views

To meet the brief, we reconfigured the layout and added a two-storey front extension, a small side extension and two mono-pitch dormer windows within the remodelled loft. These changes significantly increased the usable floor area and gave the house a much stronger sense of arrival.
A key move was relocating the staircase. The original stairs sat in the corner of the living room, turning it into a route through the house. By creating a new central staircase within a glazed hallway and atrium, the circulation was immediately improved and the living room could finally work as a calm family space.
The bespoke oak staircase with glass balustrades now forms the heart of the home. Open treads and generous glazing allow views through the house and out towards the countryside, making the most of the property’s Cotswolds setting.

Project highlights

• • A two-storey front extension to improve space and kerb appeal
  • A small side extension creating a cosy snug off the kitchen
  • Two mono-pitch dormer windows within the remodelled loft
  • A new central staircase within a glazed hallway and atrium
  • Four generous ensuite bedrooms, including ground floor guest accommodation
  • A home office with a corner window framing views of the surrounding trees
  • Improved insulation, thermally efficient windows and solar control glass
  • Oak timber cladding, zinc cladding and Cotswold stone to refresh the exterior

A home for now and the future

The additional floor area allowed for a new first floor bedroom and new bathrooms within the dormer windows. The side extension provides a cosy snug off the kitchen, with internal Cotswold stone walls and large picture-framed glazing connecting the space to the garden.
The exterior was also transformed. Oak timber cladding, zinc cladding and Cotswold stone were chosen to suit the rural location, while the energy performance of the property was significantly improved with better insulation, replacement thermally efficient windows and solar control glass.
What began as a question of whether to move became a complete transformation of the clients’ existing home. The finished house now works beautifully for family life, has much stronger kerb appeal and fully embraces the views and landscape that made the site worth staying for.