PEAR TREE COTTAGE, WEST SUSSEX

Pear Tree Cottage was built in an Arts and Crafts style in the 1960s. The existing house is situated in a very sensitive location with Grade II* listed neighbours on all sides, including Henry VIII’s hunting lodge and also a tall stone boundary wall which is in the curtilage of Lindfield House next door. The clients approached EllEll Architects to remodel the interior of the existing cottage as well as extend where possible.

The re-design of the interior spaces moved the staircase to the side of the plan allowing an open plan kitchen, living and dining space. A single storey extension is placed to the eastern side of the house which houses the new entrance along with a snug. A small courtyard is created between the existing house and the new extension and is bounded by the Grade II listed stone wall. The courtyard allows light to fill the heart of the house.

Due to the open plan interior spaces, long views through the entirety of the ground floor living spaces are now possible, with views of the houses historic neighbours visible from every window. A roof light in the new extension allows sunlight to cast dramatic shadows and move playfully around the space throughout the day.

A simple yet uniformed palette of earthy materials; micro cement, taupe coloured paintwork, oak detailing create a soft, warm and contemporary palette inside which compliments the more contextual hanging tile and brickwork found externally.