The Georgian farmhouse dating back to the 1700’s, is located in a secluded rural setting, offering wonderful downland views. The current owners purchased the farm and its farmhouse with the intention of making it their permanent residence.

Alongside the farmhouse are self-catering cottages complemented by an old threshing barn. The grounds include lawned gardens, a swimming pool, an ancient pond, stabling, tack barns, a walled garden and paddock with mature woodland bordered by a stream. 

Upon purchase, it was clear that the interior of the property was in poor condition and there was need of repair works and maintenance externally too. Several of the outbuildings were in a poor state of repair and the choice was made to demolish these. 

The work that Mattinson Associates provided for our client included a reimagining of the whole site as well as detailed conservation work and creation of a sympathetically designed, modern extension.

While repairing and making good the fabric of the farmhouse, the layout and the functionality of the building was improved. The old glass house and ancillary sheds made way for a better visual link between the farmhouse and the historic walled garden. We designed a contemporary new kitchen extension linking the main house with the walled garden.  

Further works undertaken under the design and guidance of Mattinson Associates included the addition of a pool house adjacent to the stable block. Landscaping was designed to link all elements together.

The aim was to retain and refurbish the historical elements where possible and introduce new works that are sympathetic with the existing buildings yet illustrate, they are new, by introducing contemporary design and detailing. In this way, the design enhances and highlights the difference between what is existing, listed, and new.

As a result of working together with the conservation and other authorities, Mattinson Associates was able to deliver a design that met the owner’s hoped for outcomes while preserving the building for the future. Key to the success of the works, was appreciation of the history, context, functioning and aesthetics of the whole site.