A new family home in rural Harpsden near Henley-on-Thames pays homage to its natural and architectural context. Cherry Tree House, designed by Berkshire-based Guttfield Architecture, is the transformation of a Victorian farm cottage into a modern residence. The architecture was conceived to take into account its historical ‘bones' and celebrate the surrounding green landscape, in particular the distinctive cherry tree on site.
The original period dwelling consisted of three parts: a cottage, the stables and a coach house. Studio founder Fred Guttfield and his team incorporated the various parts into their design, which included removing poorly constructed additions and creating a reimagined cottage with a generous extension.
Creating an eco-friendly, low-energy home was a priority for the team. By retaining the existing structures on site, it was possible to minimise the embodied energy in the new home. Working with a lightweight, largely timber construction also helped to that end. Further sustainability credentials include a ground-source heat pump for heating, and a photovoltaic array that contributes to energy needs.
The structure's carefully articulated façade ensures it looks at home in its natural context. The architects used various surfaces that break down the overall volume and add layering and texture. The exterior now features light-grey cement-board cladding and panels in locally quarried knapped flint, installed by local craftsman Ally Fincken. At the same time, the interior has been kept minimalist and flexible, with an emphasis on spaciousness and architectural geometries, accented by built-in bespoke furniture and joinery.
'Instead of wastefully demolishing all of the buildings and erasing the site’s history, it was key to our approach to retain the original cottage and make it the inspiration for the new architecture on the site,' says Guttfield. ‘As a result, the old and new come together harmoniously with each other and the landscape. All rooms on the south side of the house have been designed to enjoy views of the cherry tree and the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty beyond.'
INFORMATION
-
Eurostar announces new direct trains to Switzerland and GermanyFollowing a new culinary offering and the unveiling of refurbished premier lounges, Eurostar reveals its plans for direct travel from London to Geneva and Frankfurt by the early 2030s
-
Donna Trope celebrates the power of the Polaroid in Paris‘Polaroids used to be my rejects, and now they are my holy grail,’ says the beauty photographer, as she shows rarely seen images in a Paris exhibition
-
Lego and Serpentine Galleries celebrate World Play Day with a new pavilionLego and Serpentine Galleries have just unveiled their Play Pavilion; a colourful new structure in Kensington Gardens in London and a gesture that celebrates World Play Day (11 June)
-
Lego and Serpentine Galleries celebrate World Play Day with a new pavilion
Lego and Serpentine Galleries have just unveiled their Play Pavilion; a colourful new structure in Kensington Gardens in London and a gesture that celebrates World Play Day (11 June)
-
Inside Abbey Road's refresh: touring the legendary studio's new interiorAbbey Road gets an interior refresh by Threefold Architects, bringing the legendary London recording studio in tune with the 21st century
-
The Serpentine Pavilion 2025 is ready to visit, ‘an exhibition you can use’The Serpentine Pavilion 2025 is ready for its public opening on 6 June; we toured the structure and spoke to its architect, Marina Tabassum
-
A meticulously crafted artist’s space in east London evokes the area’s long creative historyMaich Swift Architects’ artist’s space has radically reconfigured a Victorian terraced house, transforming it into a contemporary live/work interior
-
Welcome to Omved Gardens, north London’s hidden green oasisThis secret space in Highgate is relaunching as a vibrant community hub with new spaces, activities and exhibitions
-
This contemporary cabin cantilevers over a Scottish lochRock Cove, Cameron Webster Architects’ contemporary cabin in Argyll, Scotland, makes the most of its wild setting
-
What to see at the London Festival of Architecture 2025June is all about the London Festival of Architecture 2025; we browsed the over 450-event rich programme for its highlights, so you won't have to
-
V&A East Storehouse is a new London museum, but not as you know itDesigned by DS+R, the V&A East Storehouse immerses visitors in history as objects of all scales mesmerise, seemingly ‘floating’ in all directions
