Set within a Victorian walled garden, this project creates a contemporary new home that is closely connected to its landscape while helping secure the long-term future of the garden itself.
The existing walled garden had fallen into a poor state of repair and supported relatively little biodiversity. Our client wanted to create a modest, energy-efficient home that would sit quietly within this setting, while allowing them to restore the garden, grow their own food and make it an integral part of everyday life.
Rather than placing a standalone house in the centre of the site, the design is tucked into the north-west corner of the garden and built partly against the existing walls. This keeps the house visually recessive and allows the garden to remain the focus.
The form takes inspiration from the simple lean-to buildings and historic glasshouses once associated with walled gardens. Large areas of glazing open the main living spaces towards the south, maximising natural light and creating a strong visual connection between the house and garden. More private bedroom spaces sit within a more solid stone element, giving the home a balance between openness and shelter.
A simple palette of stone, glass and bronze-toned standing seam metal roofing helps the new architecture sit comfortably alongside the existing walls without trying to imitate them. The original masonry has been repaired and sensitively restored as part of the project.
Sustainability is embedded within the design, with a fabric-first approach, high levels of insulation, efficient glazing and renewable energy technologies helping to reduce the home’s long-term energy demand.
The result is a contemporary rural home shaped by its setting — one that gives new purpose to the walled garden while creating a calm, light-filled place to live.
As a second phase to the project, the intention is to connect the new building to the existing cottage on the other side of the wall, providing additional living spaces. There is also future opportunity to bring life back to several of the existing lean-to outbuildings attached to the exterior of the wall.
