Tucked along a quiet country lane, on the edge of a steep woodland slope, stood two modest and timeworn farmworkers’ cottages. These cottages—dilapidated but full of history—inspired the vision for this project.

We explored the possibility of restoring them, but their lack of foundations and the challenges of meeting modern performance standards led us to reimagine the home entirely. Our clients were seeking a new space that would allow them to live and work in comfort while respecting the character of the original site.

We salvaged and reused bricks and stone from the 19th-century buildings, weaving them into a low-impact, contemporary home that reflects the spirit of the place. The new structure gently steps down the hillside, with ground floor living areas that open out towards a natural stream—drawing the landscape into daily life.

Client feedback: "Richard is a thoughtful, clever architect. When designing our new home he listened carefully to our needs, and though the project isn't quite finished yet, we are confident we will have a beautiful home to enjoy for many years to come."