Ruxandra Palcu Architects
Respect the past, honour the present and the future
Each project is approached by analysing the site context in detail, discerning the grain of the landscape and surrounding buildings, as well as the heritage significance of the setting. In this case, the existing building, where our clients currently live, is a curtilage-listed barn that was converted into residential use in the 1980’s. It is attached to the rear of the farmhouse, which is a Grade II Listed Building. The existing barn is on the Local List and is considered to be a non-designated heritage asset.
The farmstead responds to a regular courtyard plan, the most common form of farmstead layout, where the working buildings are arranged around one or more yards. During the lifetime of a farmstead, additional buildings would be constructed around the original farm to respond to the particular demands of the farmer. This evolution can be clearly seen here, and these principles have been adopted as concept drivers.
The existing house and its gardens benefit from dense vegetation around the site, contributing towards a comfortable outdoor environment. The sun path analysis evaluates the sun position at any given time of the year and the average temperatures that can be expected in each location. These studies are deployed to test several proposals on the site and analyse the impact of solar radiation on both winter solar gains and overheating in summer.
Initial feasibility studies identify opportunities to maximise the potential of creating a two-storey extension that is connected to the main house and is placed on an optimum part of the site, without overshadowing the garden nor the neighbouring properties. The concept strengthens the configuration of historic agricultural buildings that are aligned in a parallel formation and responds to the linear shape of the surrounding buildings.
LOCATION
Buckinghamshire, UK
SIZE
70 m2
STATUS
Feasibility studies
CLIENT
Private