New for Old

07 Sep 17

Once a farmhouse, this large family house in Yorkshire has undergone many changes in its time. One of its most significant transformations was an Edwardian extension, to which a period-style wooden conservatory was added about twenty years ago.

The current owners, who’ve lived in the house for fifteen years, decided to update not only the look of the house but also the way it flows.  At the heart of the project was the demolition of the original wooden conservatory, which they found chilly in winter and over-hot in summer, replacing it with a spectacular high-performance glass building designed and built by The Caulfield Company.

Linking the main house to a new pool house (formerly a barn) this double-volume building has a powerful architectural presence. It creates a multi-purpose family living space with dramatic views over open countryside and into an internal garden courtyard at the back.  

At the heart of The Caulfield Company’s designs are pioneering roof and door systems which offer not only the highest possible strength, noise cancelling and thermal values (up to Passivhaus requirements) but also the ability to create spectacular structures like this.  

The interior climate is comfortable year-round, controlled through the built-in weather station which monitors both the temperature and the angle of the sun, automatically raising and lowering the awnings to prevent heat build-up and glare. 

Bi-fold doors allow the entire building to open into the garden, with the inside/outside feel heightened by running the same stone flooring through from the living space out onto the terrace.

Entirely bespoke, the structure is all aluminium, designed by The Caulfield Company and built to order in Germany. 7.2 metres wide and 5 metres deep, it also has a 4 metres x 2 metres link into the pool house.  The roof’s dramatic reverse pitch has sight lines designed to create a strong visual connection with the existing buildings.  This is a key consideration when combining period and modern architecture.