Wyndham Cottage

An earlier scheme by another architect was not well received by the Local Authority, who deemed an extension inappropriate. Through historical research, it was established that Wyndham Cottage once had a northern wing projecting into the courtyard. The proposal was to therefore reinstate this historic footprint, creating a new kitchen, dining, and utility space for the house in the process. The client, a large family with seven sons, needed a space for cooking and dining together regularly. Sustainability was key to their brief, aiming to retain and reuse much of the existing structure and fittings. Consequently, the existing kitchen was repurposed for the summer house, with appliances reused in the new kitchen. Three of the four existing walls were retained, the paving was reused, and glulam timber was chosen over steel. The extension takes advantage of the site's varying levels, being set lower than the existing property. Combined with a primarily glazed connection to the main building, this makes the extension appear more subservient, which led to swift approval from the local authority. Upon arrival, a curved wall clad in local beach pebbles leads down steps to a paved “bridge” pointing directly at the front door, encouraging its use. The pebbles are paired with oak-framed windows designed to weather naturally and blend the extension into the landscape. Inside, exposed glulam and green oak rafters feature, with a central beam acting as the building's spine, dividing the extension’s areas. Despite being in the main building’s shadow, high ceilings and large glass expanses create a light, airy space. The oak kitchen is a linear run of units, allowing all the family to cook together comfortably.