With planning permission now secured, construction is set to begin at Fulwell Farmhouse, a historic gem in the heart of the Cotswolds. This marks a significant step in our mission to breathe new life into this heritage property whilst maintaining a fabric-first approach to sustainability. From its carefully considered design to the reuse of original materials, the project reflects our commitment to restoring a significant historic home’s character in a way that’s both sensitive to its heritage and mindful of its environmental impact.
Our work on Fulwell Farmhouse involves transforming what was once two separate, deteriorated properties into a single six-bedroom family home. To revitalise the farmhouse, we’re preserving its original stone façade, integrating modern sustainable practices, and reconfiguring its spaces to better connect with the surrounding landscape. Key interventions include re-roofing to improve form and functionality, creating a warm and welcoming new kitchen dining area, introducing double doors for a stronger indoor-outdoor relationship, and upgrading the home’s thermal performance through careful internal insulation. Each of these decisions balances the farmhouse’s historical charm with the demands of contemporary living.
BRINGING LIGHT TO A FORGOTTEN SPACE
As part of our design process, we’ve created a new rendering that highlights one of the project’s standout features: a reimagined staircase that opens up a previously neglected part of the house. During the initial strip-out, we uncovered a beautiful stone arch, hidden beneath layers of plasterboard. Rather than remove it, we integrated this historic feature into a new staircase design, making it a focal point that celebrates the building’s past.
To further enhance this area, we’ve added new windows around the staircase, bringing light into what was once a dim and enclosed space. This approach not only transforms the staircase into a bright and inviting architectural centrepiece but also reflects our broader goal of honouring the building’s original character whilst introducing practical, modern solutions to create a warm and welcoming family home.
HISTORIC FEATURES AND SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability is at the heart of this restoration. Alongside modernising the home’s thermal performance with natural wood fibre insulation and lime plaster and proposing the use of thermally efficient ETL windows, we are focused on reusing as many existing materials as possible. This approach not only maintains the farmhouse’s historical integrity but also reduces waste and minimises the environmental impact of the project.
The strip-out phase also uncovered beautiful stone tiles on the ground floor—an original feature of the farmhouse that we are carefully restoring and reintegrating into the design. Discoveries like this underscore the value of preserving and celebrating the building’s heritage whilst adding unique texture and authenticity to the completed project. By working with the building’s original fabric wherever feasible, we’re proving that sustainability can go hand in hand with thoughtful heritage restoration.
PROTECTING LOCAL WILDLIFE
Restoring Fulwell Farmhouse isn’t just about the building; it’s also about preserving the surrounding ecosystem. During the design process, we identified the need to accommodate local bat populations—a common consideration in projects involving older rural properties. Working closely with conservation specialists, we’ve integrated bespoke ties into the roof structure to provide nesting spaces for bats, ensuring they can continue to thrive alongside the restored home.
This collaboration highlights our holistic approach to restoration, where architecture and nature are thoughtfully intertwined. By taking measures to protect local wildlife, we’re not only meeting conservation requirements but also contributing to the broader environmental sustainability of the project.
A THOUGHTFUL APPROACH TO HERITAGE RESTORATION
The restoration of Fulwell Farmhouse reflects our approach to working with historic buildings—one that values preservation as much as progress. By uncovering original features and blending them with sensitive modern interventions, the design maintains the farmhouse’s unique character whilst making it more practical and sustainable for contemporary living.
This project has been about more than just restoring a building; it’s been an opportunity to uncover its stories and ensure its longevity. As construction begins, we’re proud to see these efforts come together, ready to give Fulwell Farmhouse a renewed future that stays true to its past.