Mills Meadow

Mills Meadow existed as a substantial 1930s largely original detached four-bedroomed family home situated within a large established single plot. The existing internal layout and accommodation were all well proportioned but the home lacked the amenities and facilities associated with modern family living.

It was surprising that for such a large plot and with an appearance that belies the true extent of accommodation, the ground floor accommodated only a kitchen, living room, dining room, and cloakroom. What surprised me even further was that the magnificent extent of the rear garden was not connected in any way to the main house.

The challenge was to achieve extensive planning gain in a Green Belt setting, the inclusion of the latest energy efficient technologies, desperately needed modernisation to contemporary standards, yet to firmly preserve the attractive character of the original family home.

The design sought to keep the existing floor plan largely intact but with careful intervention, the entire axis of circulation and focus was rotated to now lie parallel with the garden which opened up and celebrated the relationship of ground floor rear rooms and spaces with the garden.

To the one side of the main hall, a linear library leads to a new kitchen, dining, and family room whilst to the other the existing lounge has become the second reception room and provides a through-route to the grand main reception space beyond. This layout/arrangement has allowed all of these spaces to enjoy the connection to the garden.

At the first floor level, a new master bedroom and en-suite are situated above the proposed main reception room and the north east elevation is extended to provide en-suite bathrooms at the first-floor level.

The volume of the existing roof space has been incorporated into the home by providing an attic accessed by a secondary fixed stair independent of the main stairwell.