Our clients, Carolyn and Paul Winstanley (a well regarded photo realist painter), were keen to develop a highly contemporary design. A slot of glass runs across the roof and down the side elevation separating the new extension from the existing building, and positioned to allow light deep in to the plan of the existing house.

To prevent overlooking from the neighbour’s roof terrace through a glass roof, we used deep timber beams to support the glass and obstruct the oblique view into the extension. These beams were rebated to conceal a green roof flush with the glass, and routed on the underside to accomidate strips of LEDs lighting.

By enlarging the opening from the dining room into the new extension and positioning the doors appropriately, it is now possible to see right down the garden from the front door.

The design includes bronze anodised aluminium bespoke guttering, window reveals and window frames that act together to discreetly channel rainwater from the glass roof to below ground. It also includes black stained larch cladding and highly insulating Heat Mirror glass to reduce solar gain and internal UV light.

The brief was to provide a flexible light industrial space that is very cheep to heat at a minimum capital cost. The design incorporates a number of features that significantly reduce the build costs usually associated with PassivHaus retrofits.

The building is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the brief included a requirement to conserve and maintain the external appearance of the farm buildings. Green & Teggin developed a technical design that preserved the external appearance, includes very high levels of internal insulation, and avoids the risks of interstitial condensation usually associated with this internal insulation.

The project also features high spec triple glazed windows, low thermal bridging, high levels of air tightness and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery.

The first phase provides a new home for an existing tenant called Wild Planet who make bath, body and home fragrance products using natural & organic ingredients blended with pure essential oils. It is hoped that conversion principles will be rolled out across the remaining five workshops according to demand (and funds). The brief for the second phase includes a full certification to the PassivHaus Enerphit refurbishment standard, which has recently been extended to include commercial buildings.