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Orchard House.

The proposal reimagines the building as a balanced,
high-quality country home.

The successful design sits comfortably within its rural setting, and is transformed the existing to better supporting everyday life.

Working closely with the owners, the design takes what is already there and builds on it. The aim is not to overcomplicate, but to refine, creating a home that feels settled, coherent and built to last.

The result is a house that feels composed and quietly transformed.

Orchard House is more legible, more efficient, and better suited to modern family life, while still retaining a sense of character and permanence appropriate to its rural setting.

  • Type

    Private Residential, Extension, Renovation

  • Scope

    Full renovation, extension and reconfiguration

  • Location

    Near Petworth, West Sussex

  • Client

    Private

  • Planning

    2026

  • Services

    Full architectural services:
    Discovery, Design, Detail and Delivery

The aim is not to overcomplicate, but to refine, creating a home that feels settled, coherent and built to last.

The existing house has been comprehensively reorganised to improve clarity, performance, and ease of use. Its footprint, height and roofscape are reworked, to bring a stronger sense of order and legibility.

Internally, the plan is arranged around a central core, with east and west wings establishing a natural hierarchy of spaces. This creates clear movement through the house, while allowing for privacy and separation where needed.

The architectural language responds to orientation. To the south, large areas of glazing and deep overhangs frame views to the lake and landscape beyond, creating a stronger connection to the setting. To the north, the expression softens, drawing on an Arts and Crafts influence, with lower rooflines and a more tactile material palette.

An L-shaped annex is positioned to form a courtyard with the main house, creating a defined and generous arrival. It remains deliberately secondary, both in scale and expression, supporting the overall composition without competing with it.

The result is a house that feels composed and quietly transformed.

Internally, the focus is on warmth, texture and a sense of ease. We introduce natural materials, such as timber, stone and polished plaster, creating a restrained and tactile palette. Vaulted ceilings introduce volume to key spaces, bringing light and a subtle sense of drama.

The ground floor is organised around a formal entrance, leading into a gallery-like hallway with a sculptural staircase and spiral wine store. From here, the main living spaces run on a north–south axis. Service spaces sit to the north, while the kitchen, dining and living areas open southwards onto the garden and swimming pool terrace.

Practical spaces are carefully considered. The boot room, utility, cloakroom and laundry are grouped within the west wing, allowing day-to-day life to function without interrupting the main living areas. To the east, a home office and gym provide quieter, more private accommodation.

Upstairs, the principal suite includes a dressing room, ensuite and private balcony. Four further bedrooms, each with their own ensuite, are arranged across the wings, with generous storage and two enjoying access to private balconies.

The annex provides covered parking and plant space at ground level. Above, it accommodates a self-contained living space, including kitchen, living area, bedroom and workspace. This allows the owners to remain on site during the refurbishment, while also offering flexible accommodation for the future.

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