Cutty Sark

Chew Valley, Somerset

The existing and already previously extended dwelling in East Harptree was known locally as the ‘Ugly House’. The scheme design sought to remodel the house to suit the clients and their family, bring light into the house throughout and take advantage of the view towards Chew Valley Lake. The design is retained within the existing footprint, retaining the stairs but replacing the first floor with a new roof, subtly raised to enable more usable space within the asymmetric form. Webb Yates Structural Engineers provided a low cost and innovative approach to the timber structure to help achieve this. The rearranged living space has large openings to allow access to the garden and to open up the space to the views and light to the West and the South. The angled bay makes the most of the specific sight lines from the master bedroom and the porch entrance way creates a new and inviting arrival for the house. The property neighbours a grade II listed Church and manages this adjacency with its recessive matt black charred timber cladding and black tin roof mimicking the agricultural forms locally. The careful detailing keeps the form clipped and neat within its setting and totally transforms the home from its ugly bungalow beginnings.