The client runs his own construction company, which built the project. The site is part of a range of heavy brick built barns that sit within the curtilage of a Grade 1 listed manor house in a village outside Cambridge.

He approached us to add a small extension that would double the size of the space that was currently serving as both his dining space and kitchen, add a bootroom, a utility space and a larder and to open up the rather gloomy interior and maximise the daylight and the views to the mature garden. The barns were originally converted to residential in 1999.
The solution was to keep the kitchen in the same location, adding a new larder; to extend out into the garden with a new ‘pavilion’ that would house the larger sitting and dining areas; to house the new bootroom and utility within a new lead roofed structure to the side.
The inspiration for the design was the traditional conservatory. the structure is orientated directly to the South. The walls of glass ensure that it allows in the maximum daylight possible to penetrate deep into the plan, minimise the impact of the new building on the old, whilst the details of the design, the heavy roof, the glass specification and the brise soleil help to maintain a steady temperature throughout summer and winter.  Mirrored stainless steel columns, which dissolve into the landscape, and the ‘glass to glass’ corner makes the, weighty, timber coffered ceiling appear to float, whilst giving a sense of place for family gatherings and dinner parties.
Remotely operated, concealed, copper blinds give protection from the low winter sun and bouncing a warm glow up onto the soffit of the ceiling. The large sliding door when open connects the space directly to the garden outside.

• YEAR: Completed in December 2018
• LOCATION: Cambridge
• THE CLIENT'S VIEW:

  "I run a long established and well known construction company in Cambridge that works largely on University and high end residential projects with many well known architects. I have worked with Jeremy previously whilst he was employed by Cowper Griffith Architects and subsequently since he and his wife Emma have set up Ashworth Parkes Architects. We made our choice from a position of strength, knowing, in detail, the work of Jeremy and a lot of other very good architects in the area. We chose Ashworth Parkes on the basis of this knowledge and that we knew, with Jeremy, we would be given a distinctive, clever and beautiful design. We are extremely pleased with the decision that we made, as it has exceeded our expectations. Jeremy has created a stunning addition to our home that has changed how we use the house. He has opened up the interior and flooded it with daylight where there were small windows before. In contrast to this, despite the full height glazing, he has created a strong room-like character for the new dining area with the coffered ceiling floating above so that it will become a fantastic space for our family for Christmas dinners, family gatherings and so forth. The building has an lovely feeling of tranquility and calm and we are greatly looking forward to seeing how the play of light and the relationship of the interior with the garden change over the seasons."

• PHOTO CREDIT: Matthew Smith