Located in a rural location outside Sandwich. this property was a former Georgian worker’s cottage, set in fruit orchards of approximately 5.5 acres. The existing cottage was in need of an extension to increase the accommodation and general modernisation throughout. The brief from the clients was for a well-proportioned family home with a wow factor and extensive entertaining areas. After being chosen from a short list of local architects and designer, Creative Architecture set about realising the clients’ ambitions.
The clients were keen on a traditional vernacular rather than contemporary. To avoid creating a pastiche, "stuck on look", Creative Architecture conceived of a design to visually separate the new extension and allow the original Georgian building to take centre stage. To bridge the gap between the two, a double height atrium was designed to act as a transition space, allowing the entrance to be located in the light filled heart of the building and giving the observer an immediate perceived timeline of old and new.
On arrival, the spacious atrium doubles as an entertaining bar area, with dining hall at the opposite end. It also provides views and access to the outdoor entertaining area and the cherry orchards beyond. The two wings of the house are connected via a gallery walkway. Both wings have internal windows to the atrium, to create a visual connection between the wings and to the ground floor.
Close to completion, this stunning house marries old and new, traditional modesty with contemporary flamboyancy. It is a real "wolf in sheep’s clothing", with the entire modern extension being “hidden” behind the elegant and classic Georgian frontage.
