Having previously lived in a Georgian house with high ceilings and large sash windows the clients of this charming Sussex farmhouse felt that there was something missing.
Approaching retirement and with grown up children starting families of their own they wanted to extend the farmhouse with separate guest accommodation and a new social area with an uplifting sense of space and light.
It was clear early on that the opportunity to create a different type of space lay in demolishing a rather plain annexe and replacing it with a new extension. We knew it was going to be difficult to persuade the planners that a two storey extension to a modest listed building was a good idea but we persevered.
The solution came in disguising the extension as a modest semi-agricultural building of a scale that didn't challenge its older neighbour.
The ground floor was lowered by half a metre and the ceilings were vaulted to create the dramatic spaces that were longed for.
The clients now love living in both the cosy snug rooms of the old part of the house and the new light filled extension. The house is often busy with guests and the family are able to all be together whilst maintaining a sense of independence.
'We are absolutely delighted with the final result. It speaks volumes to the value of Tom's input.
The design intangibles of the interaction of materials, style and proportion clearly show his contribution and flare. There is no doubt in our minds when considering the product that it's his understanding of how these interact that has made the whole thing work so well. We have a great deal more than a replacement extension, what we have now makes a huge contribution to the house as a whole both in terms of use and aesthetics.'
