Living at the foot of Dryslwyn Castle
Planning Permission Granted… ✔️
Connecting the cottage to its landscape
From the outset, my clients had a very clear vision. This project was not simply about adding more space; it was about changing the way the house relates to its garden and its surroundings.
Despite being immersed in such a beautiful setting, the existing cottage has surprisingly little connection with the garden. Views are limited and the ground floor feels quite enclosed, while the extensive garden surrounding the property is largely experienced from outside rather than from within the home.
The location makes that particularly important. With Dryslwyn Castle rising nearby and views extending across the surrounding countryside, the garden and landscape are an integral part of what makes this property unique. The design therefore seeks to bring those qualities into the everyday experience of living in the cottage.
The new extension is positioned to the south, incorporating the existing unused store and opening the ground floor towards the garden. Carefully considered openings will provide stronger visual and physical connections, allowing the garden to become a much more natural extension of the living space.
Opening up the interior — horizontally and vertically
One of the most exciting aspects of the design is the way it opens up the existing cottage both horizontally and vertically.
The current ground-floor arrangement is divided into a series of smaller spaces, with the kitchen, lounge and circulation areas separated from one another. The proposal brings these spaces together to create a more generous, open-plan kitchen, dining and living environment.
Rather than simply creating a larger room, the design establishes a series of interconnected spaces that flow naturally towards the garden. The extension creates the opportunity for wider openings, longer sightlines and carefully framed views, allowing the eye to travel through the house and out into the landscape beyond.
Vertically, the design also seeks to create a greater sense of volume and openness. The relationship between the existing cottage and the new extension has been carefully considered so that the new space feels bright and generous while remaining grounded in the scale and character of the original building.
This contrast between the intimacy of the traditional cottage and the openness of the contemporary addition is central to the design.
The intention is not to make the old building feel new, but to allow the two elements to work together — retaining the warmth, proportions and character of Blaenblodau while introducing a modern space that responds to the way the family wants to live today.
Contemporary design, rooted in character
The extension has been deliberately designed as a contemporary addition rather than attempting to replicate the existing cottage. Modern materials, detailing and generous glazing will provide a clear distinction between old and new, while the scale, form and material palette have been carefully considered to ensure the extension sits comfortably alongside the traditional building.
The result is intended to feel complementary rather than competing.
Natural light is a key part of the proposal. The south-facing orientation provides an excellent opportunity to bring more daylight deep into the ground floor, while the new openings will create changing views and connections with the garden throughout the day and across the seasons.
The aim is to create a home where the landscape is not simply something seen through a window, but becomes part of the architecture and the experience of the space.
A home for the future
Alongside the architectural design, the project has been developed with long-term comfort and sustainability in mind. High-quality insulation, energy-efficient glazing and responsible material choices will be considered as the project progresses, helping to improve the home's energy performance and reduce ongoing running costs.
For me, the success of a project like this comes from finding the right balance — preserving the qualities that give an old building its character while making it work better for contemporary family life.
Blaenblodau is a wonderful example of how a sensitive extension can do more than provide additional floor area. It can fundamentally change how a home is experienced, creating better connections between rooms, between inside and outside, and between the building and the landscape in which it sits.
What’s next?
With planning permission now secured, I am really excited to move the project forward into the next stage.
The next step will be developing the design through Building Regulations, working through the technical details and construction strategy to ensure the vision can be delivered as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
I am particularly looking forward to working with Treharne to develop a bespoke timber kit-frame solution for the extension. Bringing the construction team into the process at this stage will allow us to carefully coordinate the design and structure, helping to create a straightforward and efficient build process for my clients.
It is always exciting to reach this point in a project — seeing the initial ideas develop from sketches and conversations into a design that has secured planning permission, and then taking those ideas one step closer to becoming reality.
I can't wait to see Blaenblodau evolve into the light-filled, connected and contemporary family home we have envisioned, while retaining the charm and character of this very special Welsh cottage and its beautiful Dryslwyn setting. 🏡🌿
No comments:
Post a Comment