The Bothy, Garden and Annexe, Chicksgrove Manor, Chicksgrove

The judges were presented with a nomination with several elements to it, and were very impressed by two of them. Behind the mainly C16th house, a single storey annexe had been transformed from something with rather dull fenestration, in strips, to a building focused on two full height areas of glazing in a contemporary mode. These contrasted with stonework in between, significantly and skilfully altered in a seamless way. Inside, a contemporary feel had been created without losing all the building’s historic character. Across the road, a garden area between the house and the river Nadder, with a small stone building in traditional style, known as the Bothy, had seen the building given a contemporary extension which was fully glazed on its south side, successfully creating a garden room which takes advantage of the views down to the river. The garden which formed the remainder of this area had been upgraded, resulting in a formal stonework centrepiece flanked by lawns, running down to a boundary which was previously just a fence, but has now been changed into a ha-ha, a very effective way of maintaining the function of a barrier, while removing the previous visual constraints. Both the annexe and the garden area were felt to have resulted in significant improvements to the whole property, and to merit a commendation.

Architects: Michael Lyons Architecture, Salisbury

Photos: Michael Lyons Architecture