Originally constructed in 1864 as the Pitcombe village school, the building was converted into a house following the Second World War, and later underwent several further changes including an unsympathetic extension in the 1970s.

The brief from the clients was to create a larger contemporary replacement for this earlier extension – which was poorly laid out, with a dangerous staircase, and riddled with asbestos. It was important to the clients that the new wing be both sustainable and sympathetic to the original school house.

Drawing inspiration from the scale, proportion and materiality of the original building, which is made out of locally quarried limestone, Bindloss Dawes Architects developed a design that is both distinguishable from and sensitive to the existing architecture.

The new 1450 square foot extension is a simple but carefully detailed gable, with locally sourced sweet chestnut battening and framing, that provides three new bedrooms and bathrooms to the residence.

Chestnut was chosen for its sustainability, stability and elegant grain, as well as its mellow silver colouring which complements the weathered Hadspen stone of the main house.