A contemporary two-storey side extension to a 19th C cottage situated on the main historic street of Cherhill, Calne and within the Wiltshire North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The cottage house pre-dates the 1880s when it was originally two separate dwellings which have since been combined into a single house. Aside from a large two-storey extension to the rear, the cottage retains many of its period features and materiality. The design proposed replacing an existing lean to timber frame porch which, though serving as the main entrance to the house, was setback from the main house and as such was very disconnected and had very little visual presence. In addition to a new porch space the first floor extension provides additional bedroom space.

The design situates the massing of the extension close to the front of the existing cottage thereby creating a covered porch space beneath the cantilevered first floor. The position and relationship of the new massing alongside the existing cottage gives more prominence to the entrance and arrival. The first floor massing follows the roof form and low eaves line of the existing cottage with the exception of front and back dormer windows which improve the provision of useable internal space.

A mixed palette of brickwork, metal and timber is used for the proposals which both corresponds to existing materials found within the village and presents an abstraction of the materials and tones of the existing building. Glazed brickwork at the entrance porch are used to offer a momentary change of colour and texture thereby helping to signal the entrance. The timber at the first floor responds to the lighter and softer tones and textures of the render on the existing building. The horizontal and vertical battens help to break down the mass of the first floor element whilst also introducing varying rhythms which respond to different heights and patterns within the existing and proposed forms.

The dark grey metal standing seam roof reflects the tones of the existing slate roof whilst also accommodating and tying in the dormer and feature window elements.