Shaped by the materials and forms of the local vernacular, Oakfield is a contemporary country retreat designed to sit comfortably within its rural Cotswold setting. The home is organised around a spectacular vaulted living space, oriented south to capture natural light and expansive views across the open countryside.
The design anchors the building in its context through a central masonry form crafted from brick, gables, flint walls and handmade red clay tiles. This is flanked by two more subdued wings clad in dark-stained timber and connected by glazed links. This design breaks down the overall mass and creates a clear hierarchy between elements, resulting in a contemporary home that feels both established and respectful of its surroundings.
A key challenge for any modern home with generous glazing is preventing summer overheating. Our solution was to weave climate resilience into the very fabric of the building. The vaulted living space is oriented to the south, but the large glazed apertures are strategically set back beneath deep, oversailing eaves. This fundamental design move provides powerful passive shading, naturally limiting heat gain in summer while allowing low winter sun to warm the interior.
This integrated approach continued inside, where the interior experience was developed in parallel with the architecture from day one. The impressive timber-pitched roof is expressed internally, creating a unified flow and a powerful sense of identity throughout the home. Window placement and key sightlines were carefully aligned to frame views and draw in natural light, ensuring the home feels consistently connected to its setting.
The interior design of Oakfield is a thoughtful extension of its architectural identity, creating a living space that feels both connected to its structure and full of personal character. The striking timber-pitched roof and matching floors establish a warm, natural foundation, creating a unified flow throughout the home. In the central kitchen, this organic palette is met with a bold contrast of blackened oak cabinetry, creating a dramatic and inviting heart of the home that is both contemporary and timeless.
This concept of a neutral, contemporary canvas is enlivened by carefully chosen, playful details that reveal themselves as you move through the home. A walk-in pantry, visible from the kitchen, introduces a surprising note of muted lemon, bringing a soft, uplifting energy to the space. Nearby, the guest WC offers another layer of discovery; its pocket door opens to reveal an immersive, earthy atmosphere with rich, wine-coloured tiles and coordinating wall finishes, creating an unexpected and memorable design moment.
Architectural lighting was integral to the design, conceived to celebrate the home’s beautiful structural features. A sophisticated and layered lighting scheme, combining uplighting, track lighting, and discreet shadow gap details, enhances the volume and form of the interior architecture. This careful balance of light and shadow not only adds depth and atmosphere but also unifies the overall design, ensuring the home feels cohesive, considered, and exceptionally welcoming.
The landscape design for Branwyn House takes a contemporary approach to Japanese-inspired principles, creating a series of calm, structured spaces that connect directly with the home and its setting. The garden responds to the natural slope of the site, using terracing and carefully placed planting to integrate the architecture into the land while maintaining clear views across the protected green corridor.
A central water feature and outdoor firepit form focal points within the design, bringing movement, warmth, and a sense of rhythm to the space. Planting is layered and textural, drawing on Japanese influences to create seasonal interest and visual depth while supporting local biodiversity. The result is a considered landscape that combines precision, restraint, and ecological awareness—complementing the architecture through balance and simplicity.
Contemporary Classics
Architecture
Interior Design
Cotswolds
In-Design