Cover The 19th-century Cotswold stone home with a 10,000-sq-ft multi-level extension wing
The 19th-century Cotswold stone home with a 10,000-sq-ft multi-level extension wing
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Sensitively restored the 19th-century stone barn, the light-filled contemporary country home balances heritage architecture, bold modern intervention and a vibrant art collection
The Cotswolds has long been revered for its postcard charm: a rolling landscape of limestone hills, with scattered villages nestled amidst pastoral farmland stretching as far as the eye can see.
Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the picturesque region of England flourished during the medieval wool trade and has long drawn artists, aristocrats and, more recently, London creatives seeking an idyllic counterpoint to city life.
Above The original stone house accommodates four bedrooms, a playroom, boot room, laundry, pantry and scullery
Above The glass-encased corridor bridges the original stone house with the new, contemporary wing extension
The original stone house accommodates four bedrooms, a playroom, boot room, laundry, pantry and scullery
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Here, a distinct architectural language rooted in enduring craftsmanship and country living persists, defined by the widespread use of oolitic Jurassic limestone across most–if not all–historic buildings, from cottages and manor houses to churches and garden walls.
Warm, golden and softly textured, the quintessential material–colloquially known as Cotswold stone–weathers into a mellow gold tone, lending entire villages their lauded, honey-hued glow.
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Above The double-height entrance hall with original timber beams
Above Undulating textured plaster walls and vertical timber panelling
The double-height entrance hall with original timber beams
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Above Soft, neutral tones punctuated by subtle accents of green and deep inky blue
Above A metal staircase underscores the interplay between tradition and modernity
Soft, neutral tones punctuated by subtle accents of green and deep inky blue
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It is against this richly layered backdrop that a 19th-century Cotswold stone threshing barn has been sensitively restored and expanded for a family with three children.
The intervention resonates with the traditional blueprint–its local materiality and strong garden-architecture relationship–while asserting a confident contemporary expression.
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“One of the biggest challenges in designing this home was seamlessly integrating the historic architecture of the original stone house with the bold, contemporary curved extension,” recalls Ben Twells, architect and director of SOTA, of the project that took two years to design and nearly three years to construct.
The grand drawing room with expansive floor-to-ceiling glazing that frames views of the landscape
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“Ensuring that the transition between these spaces felt effortless required meticulous planning–from material selection to spatial sequencing,” he adds. “This results in a unified composition where old and new coexist naturally rather than reading as two separate entities.”
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Exemplifying this dialogue between past and present is the double-height entrance hall, where the original timber beams contrast with a contemporary perforated metal staircase and balustrade, alongside a Moon pendant by Davide Groppi, underscoring the interplay between tradition and modernity.
Above The living area in soft, neutral tones of warm whites and layered earthy hues
The living area in soft, neutral tones of warm whites and layered earthy hues
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Above The curved timber ceiling defines the room with a sense of movement
Above The central wood-burning fireplace, carved from seven tonnes of granite
The curved timber ceiling defines the room with a sense of movement
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The original stone house accommodates four bedrooms–including the principal suite–alongside a playroom, boot room, laundry, pantry and scullery.
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Meanwhile, the barn has been extended with a 10,000-sq-ft multi-level wing; its curved overhang provides passive summer shading, while a wildflower green roof helps regulate indoor temperatures and soften the building’s silhouette within the landscape.
“It was key to embed the new structure into the landscape in a way that feels organic and respectful of its surroundings,” Twells elaborates. “The architecture follows the contours of the land, with natural stone, timber and the green roof helping the home settle into its environment.”
Above The raised podium sitting area with clear sightlines of the original stone barn
Above The hidden bar in deep teal gloss concealed behind the curved concrete wall
The raised podium sitting area with clear sightlines of the original stone barn
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Inside, textured plaster walls and vertical timber panelling introduce depth and tactility. A curved timber ceiling defines the grand drawing room with a sense of movement and flow, subtly guiding the eye towards expansive floor-to-ceiling glazing that frames views of the landscape while bathing the interconnected kitchen, dining and living areas in natural light.
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“The curved, rising oak-planked ceiling culminates at its highest point above a raised podium sitting area, from which you can look back towards the original stone barn,” Twells says.
“Just off this space is the jewel in the crown: a hidden bar cleverly concealed within the negative space of the curved concrete wall, finished in a deep teal gloss,” he adds.
The dining area with a bespoke dining table by Dominic Ash, dining Chairs by Moooi, and pendant light by Giffin Design
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Conceived as a contemporary interpretation of the classical country house, the extension wing also houses a basement cinema, wine cellar and extensive archival storage for the family’s art collection.
“This home truly comes into its own in summer, when the sliding doors retract fully into the walls,” Twells muses. “This sense of playfulness is most evident in the link between the bright blue and yellow changing room and the outdoor heated stainless-steel swimming pool.”
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The extension wing with a curved wildflower green roof
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Above The large, curved overhang provides passive summer shading
Above Local materiality that asserts a contemporary expression
The large, curved overhang provides passive summer shading
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With the architectural framework already performing the heavy lifting, it provided interior designer Louise Holt with a robust foundation upon which to layer the interiors.
“What excited us most was the opportunity to shape interiors that feel both refined and deeply personal–a home that functions as a sanctuary for family life while remaining welcoming for social gatherings,” says Louise Holt, founder of the eponymous studio.
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The cosy cinema room with bespoke seating and lighting fixtures by J Adams
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Deeply informed by the surrounding landscape, the interior scheme is rooted in a philosophy of understated luxury. Here, modern design embraces warmth, texture and character, maintaining a refined minimalism without veering into austerity.
“Inspired by the site’s contours and organic textures, we focused on creating a seamless transition between indoors and out, echoing the tones and tactility of nature,” the design team explains.
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Reflecting the home’s natural context, materials were carefully curated. Among them is the central wood-burning fireplace anchoring the main drawing room, carved from seven tonnes of granite and serving as both sculptural focal point and functional hearth.
The modern design in the primary suite embraces warmth, texture and character
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In the bespoke kitchen, a curved back wall introduces fluidity, departing from conventional linear planning; whereas a continuous worktop reinforces the minimalist architectural language, ensuring the spatial envelope remains the focal point.
Custom oak cabinetry strengthens the connection to nature, while a striking marble island takes centre stage with its dramatic veining and sculptural presence–as much artwork as functional surface.
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Soft, neutral tones of warm whites and layered earthy hues are punctuated by subtle accents of green and deep inky blue, establishing balance and cohesion throughout. The restrained palette provides a calm backdrop against which the homeowners’ vibrant contemporary art collection can command attention.
Above Exposed timber beams echo the defining features of traditional Cotswold architecture
Above Modern design that maintains refined minimalism without veering into austerity
Exposed timber beams echo the defining features of traditional Cotswold architecture
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“This approach allows the art to feel integrated rather than in competition with the interiors, creating a dynamic yet harmonious atmosphere,” Holt explains.
“Creating a home that feels like a gallery while remaining warm and lived-in was an inspiring challenge–one we thoroughly enjoyed bringing to life,” she concludes.
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Credits
Photography: Renee Kemps
Celeste Goh is a senior writer covering architecture and design. Based in Malaysia, she reports on emerging architectural and home design trends, as well as insights by local and international architects and interior designers.
Previously, she covered men’s lifestyle, fashion, music and entertainment.
