“With Communion’s help, we took a mundane and dilapidated Cotswold cottage and turned it into something exceptional and unique.”
The House
6 Coronation Cottages is a mid terrace cottage situated in the picturesque Cotswold village of Clanfield. Although solidly build, the rapid turnover of occupants in recent years had taken its toll on the house and it was in need of complete renovation.
The Brief
“We had an idea of what we wanted and some assumptions about how this would look – Alex turned these assumptions on their head to carefully craft a space that was much more than we could have hoped for, and a pleasure to live in.”
The cottage was bought by a family and Communion was approached to transform the dilapidated property into something very special, but on a strictly limited budget. The brief called for a contemporary open plan kitchen and living space on the ground floor, two bedrooms and a bathroom at first floor level and a new principal bedroom with en suite bathroom in the former loft.
The Solution
“There were cheaper options and off-the-shelf solutions that could have short cut design time and therefore reduced professional fees, but we witnessed first-hand the true value of commissioning award-winning architects – a property that was much more than we could have developed alone and one that will be enjoyed by owners for many decades to come.”
Communion worked closely with the family to develop a design that fully realised the potential of the cottage and their aspirations. The primary design move was to re-imagine the vertical circulation by creating a three storey void that runs from the front door to the former attic. Into this space a laser cut, handfolded steel staircase was inserted. This staircase allows circulation on the ground floor while providing access to the first and the new second floor and delivering delight to all who use and visit the house.
At ground floor level all internal walls were removed to provide an open plan kitchen, dining and living area which opens out onto the delightful cottage garden. At first floor level all aspects of the original house were renovated to provide two bedrooms and a bathroom, with new electrical heating installations throughout. At second floor level the former attic has been redesigned as the principal bedroom suite complete with en suite bathroom and views across the beautiful Cotswold countryside.
The Outcome
“We loved the internal layout”
“We loved the internal layout of the property – it worked really well, and without the inconvenience or compromise (deliberate or accidental!) that defines many of the houses built or modernised today.”
We worked closely with the project’s structural engineer and a skilled team of builders and fabricators whose hard work has created a cottage with which all parties are delighted. The result is a unique space created on a strict budget. We are grateful to the client for sharing our appreciation of careful conservation combined with contemporary design.
