BRIDLEWAY HOUSE GUTTFIELD ARCHITECTURE
Guttfield Architecture has added a barn-like timber extension to a red brick cottage in rural West Berkshire
Bridleway House replaces a singlestory garage directly alongside a public bridleway with a new twostory wing that opens up views of the countryside beyond. The site occupies a prominent location within a Thameside village and the design of the extension was carefully developed to respond to the rural and historic character of the surroundings. At the same time, the architects responded to the client’ s desire to make a novel architectural contribution to the village they grew up in and to which they returned later in life.
Despite being on the edge of rolling countryside, the cottage didn’ t enjoy far-reaching views and the practice was tasked with designing an extension to frame the scenic Thames Valley and North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty beyond the cottage’ s garden.
The new wing projects far enough beyond the rear of the cottage to open up long countryside views from the new first floor, which is dedicated to a new master suite. The bedroom is vaulted to follow the barn-like form of the new wing and is lined with birch plywood, incorporating concealed lighting, the bedhead, and a dressing table. A full-width picture window frames the vital countryside vistas, whilst sliding timber shutters provide privacy to the bed area.
A new stair provides access to the new suite and is designed within a glazed slot, which provides daylight to the spaces below. The stair also separates the bedroom from the ensuite shower room, and the landing space forms a small dressing area. At
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