The Cotswold Barns
Location: The Cotswolds
Architect: Matthew Kettle
Architecture: Residential Replacement Dwelling
RIBA Stages 0-7
The Brief & Vision
Our clients approached us to replace an outdated dwelling in the heart of the Cotswolds with a home that felt deeply connected to its rural roots, yet unashamedly modern.
Our response was to design a collection of interconnected barns. By breaking the home down into a cluster of pitched volumes rather than one massive structure, we kept the scale sympathetic to the landscape while creating a beautiful, private family compound.
As you can see in the design visualisation, the exterior materials are all about texture and longevity. We paired vertically oriented, weathered timber cladding with crisp metal standing-seam roofs. Traditional Cotswold dry stone walls anchor the buildings to the site, framing private gravel courtyards and creating a natural sense of enclosure.
Securing Planning & Technical Precision
Navigating the planning constraints in a sensitive area like the Cotswolds requires a careful touch. We are thrilled to have secured full planning permission for this design, with local authorities praising our landscape-led approach.
With planning in hand, we spent RIBA Stage 4 preparing the project for Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). By fully coordinating the technical design for off-site prefabrication, we can guarantee incredible thermal efficiency and ensure those razor-sharp, minimalist Scandi details are executed on-site with absolute precision.
Inside the Barns
Inside, the architecture and interior design merge into a single narrative focused on tactile minimalism and warmth:
The Central Axis: The view through the heart of the house acts as the spine of the home. It allows the family to feel connected whether they are cooking, relaxing, or moving between the barns, all while framing targeted glimpses of the gardens beyond.
Volumetric Spaces: The traditional barn profiles allow for dramatic, double-height ceilings inside, with clean glazing that frames the changing light of the Cotswold countryside.
The Scandi Feel: The interior palette relies on raw, honest materials, pale timbers, soft textured plasters, and clean architectural lines that bring a sense of calm and hygge without the clutter.
Indoor-Outdoor Flow: Large-format glazing and hidden pocket doors allow the main living spaces to open up entirely to the courtyards, making the landscape feel like an extension of the living room.