This substantial courtyard of redundant farm buildings was originally granted planning permission for conversion into 6 dwellings. New owners decided to develop it instead as one large family live/work unit. The accommodation divided naturally into 4 wings: south – family, west – formal entertaining (in transformed 60′ double height barn), east – annexe, north – studios. The whole is unified by a sequence of rooms enfilade.

The remaining corner of the courtyard was disengaged from the neighbouring property with a high new wall to create a tranquil internal precinct reminiscent of an Oxbridge quadrangle. The buildings are set half way down a gentle hillside which was landscaped to create parkland above and terraced gardens below.

Subsequent owners have since completed and upgraded the work both internally and externally to create a comfortable, gently Italianate domain in the rolling English countryside. The project has extended over some 30 years.