The design was developed in response to the unique surroundings of the site, taking design cues and inspiration without resorting to architectural pastiche. The composition is intentionally contemporary, allowing the history of the building to be read - a historic farm house adjoining to a contemporary barn.
The extension is designed as a separate form connected by a minimal glazed link. The new building is based upon a hip gable roof influenced by the local agricultural vernacular of subservient barn buildings in rural farmsteads. The new building respects the existing listed building with a glazed link that creates distinct forms and contrasts from the historic to the new. The join between the two is created as an interesting triangular space due to the alignment of the extension to the Listed garden wall, which is set at a slight angle to the original home.
The extension is minimal in both form and materials. It is wrapped entirely in clay tiles atop a concrete plinth, with large openings punching through the clay form. The plain tiles are in keeping with those already used on the Farm House, helping to tie the two buildings together. By using handmade tiles supplied by Keymer, the cladding will bring a regular yet imperfect texture to the extension. Metal is used at the reveals and edges to achieve crisp lines.
