The ambition for Maplehurst House was to sensitively restore a significant Grade II* listed residence and transform it into a characterful family home for modern life. Set within a Cotswolds conservation area, our work involved updating the main house and reimagining a series of disused barns into exceptional new spaces, including guest accommodation and a luxurious private spa.
Our approach in the main house was one of careful restoration. A key challenge was navigating the property’s Grade II* listed status to enhance its character while meeting modern building standards. We resolved this by working in close partnership with local conservation officers, developing a scheme that removed unsympathetic historical additions, uncovered original window fenestrations, and introduced a small, sensitive extension that respects the building’s heritage.
A further challenge was integrating the disparate agricultural outbuildings to feel like a single, cohesive estate. Our solution was to create a series of thoughtful architectural and landscape links. A new boot room, utility space and gym are now connected directly to the main house, while a carefully designed Cotswolds stone path creates an intuitive journey across the courtyard to the separate guest accommodation and entertaining barn.
A standout feature is the new pool and spa barn. Taking inspiration from the wellness facilities at The Newt hotel, the design features a striking waterfall wall and exposed brickwork, framed by full-height Crittall glazing. Under a vaulted, beamed ceiling sits a mezzanine steam room, creating a rejuvenating home spa that feels both luxurious and authentic to its barn setting.
As the property is situated in a conservation area, we have worked carefully with conservation officers to ensure the designs meet the stipulations of the Cotswolds Local Plan. To meet the objective of minimising the property’s environmental impact, our solution was to introduce a renewable energy provision, installing a Ground Source Heat Pump and a discreet ground-mounted PV array to serve the entire site.
The landscape design was central to unifying the estate. With biodiversity at its heart, the scheme incorporates masses of native flowering plants and shrubs surrounding a natural swimming pool. New seating and entertaining areas have been designed to follow the sun’s path throughout the day, ensuring the gardens are enjoyed from morning to evening. The result is a sensitively restored family estate where historic character and modern living exist in perfect harmony.
The design vision of this garden is to compliment the style of the contemporary new home, support the local planning policy to minimise environmental impact, and create a series of interconnecting, Japanese-inspired gardens holistically considered and integrated with the living spaces.
As first coined by the American biologist Edward O. Wilson, this is ‘biophilia design’, a response to the recognition that we possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature. Kingbury House will be a truly indoor-outdoor home, where the gardens and setting play an integral and symbiotic role with the building and local natural environment.
The garden is split over 2 levels, each of which will be given a different feeling and use. The hard landscape focuses on natural materials such as timber, stone, and clay, alongside British and wildlife supporting vegetation such as Betula, Ilex and Taxus. Our designs meet our clients’ desire for an Asian-Oriental garden style – yet realised via a range of native plant species that will support the local natural environment, habitat and wildlife.
Designing with British and North European native species doesn’t have to mean a messy meadow or wild borders. Kingbury House garden will be beautifully structured and serene, with a palette of plants where every single one will be native and good for biodiversity. Sustainability in harmony with design will be at the heart of this garden.
In the lower garden, local British materials will be used alongside water, introduced to the scheme via a series of ponds and small features to reduce noise pollution and to further support biodiversity and the local wildlife.
Kingbury House is the realisation of a truly holistic design between building and garden; architecture and landscape design. A contemporary vision with a sustainability-led purpose that succeeds through the collaboration of ideas and values from the very start.
Listed & Heritage
Architecture
Cotswolds
In-Design