Rutledge House
A sensitive extension to a charming 1920s cottage in a heritage conservation area.
Completed 2022
Builder: Alliance Building Group
Photographer: Ben King
“Our house is heritage listed. It is a beautiful place with lovely rooms but is cold and dark.
We approached Philip Leeson Architects because of their reputation working on heritage buildings to design a modern conservatory, bedroom, bathroom and workshop. We also wanted a new kitchen with good access to the garden.
It was important to us that the new building look modern but sympathetic to the old building.
The new wing is removed slightly from the original house but connected by a glass link.
We now have a house that is thoroughly enjoyable and comfortable all year round.”
A sensitive extension to a charming 1920s cottage in a heritage conservation area.
The project brief called for small but key alterations to the existing residence, the addition of a conservatory to provide a flexible everyday living space and a new workshop/garage, bedroom and bathroom.
Considered incisions were made to the existing cottage and two pavilions carefully sited to complement yet redefine the way the existing cottage and garden are experienced.
Intrinsic to the brief was to establish a strong connection to the garden - a glazed linking corridor is a seamless connection to the new where large sliding doors open to the established garden and highlight windows capture views of the surrounding trees.
The built form is a reference to traditional outbuildings yet is contemporary in detail. High gable ceilings increase the perceived size of the interior whilst maintaining a modest footprint.
A restrained yet rich material palette of dark matt metal cladding, clear finished timber and burnished concrete is a complementary contrast to the textural garden setting.