The sensitive reuse of a set of dilapidated 19th Century farm workers cottages into a family home, set in the rolling countryside surrounding Bath.
Pottern House is located outside the village of Priston, a few miles outside of Bath. The existing buildings were in a poor state of disrepair, following most recently being used as a piggery. Originally a set of farm worker’s cottages, the roof, first floor and part of the rubble stone walls had been demolished to make the buildings more suitable to use as a piggery. Even in their dilapidated state, the original building fabric offered an abundance of character to inform the design approach.
The reconstruction focused on restoring the original form of the cottages, using traditional techniques and materials. The stone walls were carefully rebuilt with white lias, lime mortar, rubble stone walling to reinstate the pitched roof.
We worked closely with the Structural Engineer to devise a solution to reintroduce the first floor and roof, whilst retaining the spirit of the buildings. Internally exposed floor beams lend authenticity and a tactile connection to the property’s past.
Damaged window and door openings were refinished with dressed stone. On the south elevation so little of the original fabric was remaining it offered an opportunity to introduce bi-fold doors to take advantage of the idyllic views to the south.
Design development was highly collaborative, shaped by the Estate’s exacting standards and the client’s attention to detail. Every element – from the choice of materials referencing the local vernacular, to stone and lime mortar samples, to the proportion and placement of glazing – was carefully considered and refined.
Sustainability played a key role throughout the renovation of the dilapidated cottages. Spray cork insulation was applied internally to the stone walls, maintaining breathability while offering a soft, textured finish reminiscent of traditional lime plaster. Though cork render has a modest U-value, the whole house U-Value was improved by over-insulating the roof and floor. The air-source heat pump offers a low-carbon solution to providing the house with heating and hot water. The result is a warm, low-energy family home that feels rooted in its setting and history, while meeting the demands of modern living.
