The existing 5 bed detached house was originally constructed in the 1930’s as a ‘self build’ by a retired army major, in the arts and crafts style. The house occupies a 9 acre densely wooded site overlooking the Vale of Aylesbury, in Chinnor, South Oxfordshire, and is located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
The client had bought the property because of its charm and character, so the brief was to maintain the spirit of the existing house (characterised by low ceilings, small windows and exposed timber beams) yet at the same time to re-organise the interior to open the house up to the landscape beyond.
On the ground floor, the entrance hall, family living room and study retain original features. A small hall extension creates a bay window seat in the language of the existing house.
The new living / dining extension to the north contrasts the existing architecture- with a large open plan vaulted roof which sits on exposed glulam beams- chosen as a contemporary reference to the exposed beams in the main house.
The external structure enables the corner of the room to be opened up to the woodland landscape beyond. Minimal glazing strengthens the contrast with the existing glazing and links the building to the landscape beyond.
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