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Before & After: An Environmentally Sensitive Rehab of a Cotswold Bungalow

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Before & After: An Environmentally Sensitive Rehab of a Cotswold Bungalow

March 2, 2020

Post-redesigning, post-gutting, post-remodeling, the home is unrecognizable. It’s hard to imagine that the gracious compound of modern-rustic structures in rural Cotswold was once a forlorn ranch-style house. But if you look closely, you’ll see that the original single-story building is still there, albeit spiffed up and augmented.

“The story behind the house is very much about it being a retrofit rather than a new build,” says Henrietta Smart, the project’s lead architect and a proponent of salvaging over scrapping. “We’re trying to work with existing buildings to keep the carbon footprint as low as possible, rather than knocking them down and starting again,” she tells us of Charlie Luxton Design, where she works.

The owners of the home, a young couple with kids, were fortunately also interested in preserving what they could of the old building while expanding its size and elevating its design. And after a cost analysis of “tear-down and rebuild” versus “retrofit and remodel” yielded comparative budgets, they were completely on board with Henrietta’s’ vision for a sensitive conversion.

Below, the remarkable transformation of a dated bungalow into a modern rural retreat.

Photography by Ed RS Aves, courtesy of Charlie Luxton Design.

the original brick bungalow was short on charm and space. 17
Above: The original brick bungalow was short on charm and space.
post renovation. the original walls of the bungalow were retained and and re in 18
Above: Post-renovation. The original walls of the bungalow were retained and and re-insulated. Insulating well, says the firm, is the single most important action homeowners can take to lower one’s carbon footprint. The wood-cladded top portion of the structure is new.
the path to the front door. the newly pitched roofs add height to the home. 19
Above: The path to the front door. The newly pitched roofs add height to the home.
in the entry, a plywood built in wardrobe features pegs (for hanging outerwear) 20
Above: In the entry, a plywood built-in wardrobe features pegs (for hanging outerwear) arranged to replicate the profile of the house.
just off the entry is the kitchen, which has a window seat for added seating. 21
Above: Just off the entry is the kitchen, which has a window seat for added seating.
the view toward the front door. the cabinets are by devol. the concrete floorin 22
Above: The view toward the front door. The cabinets are by deVOL. The concrete flooring on the first level is original to the home.
the oak veneer pendant lights are by hay. 23
Above: The oak veneer pendant lights are by Hay.
the vertigo pendant light by constance guisset hangs over the cozy living room. 24
Above: The Vertigo Pendant Light by Constance Guisset hangs over the cozy living room.
the dining room feels like a sun room thanks to a wall of floor to ceiling wind 25
Above: The dining room feels like a sun room thanks to a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. The light is Michael Anastassiades’s IC S2 Pendant.
the children&#8\2\17;s wing features two bedrooms and whimsical lioness &am 26
Above: The children’s wing features two bedrooms and whimsical Lioness & Palms Wallpaper, by C.F.A. Voysey, from CommonRoom.
the kids&#8\2\17; bathroom, with tiles from bert & may. 27
Above: The kids’ bathroom, with tiles from Bert & May.
the second floor above the children&#8\2\17;s wing features two additional  28
Above: The second floor above the children’s wing features two additional bedrooms. The colorful planter is actually a woven plastic storage basket from the London store Milagros.
the walk through plywood closet in the master bedroom. 29
Above: The walk-through plywood closet in the master bedroom.
the patio right outside the dining room. 30
Above: The patio right outside the dining room.
an off the shelf galvanized animal feed trough is cleverly repurposed as a pond 31
Above: An off-the-shelf galvanized animal-feed trough is cleverly repurposed as a pond for growing aquatic plants. “It’s kept clean with a solar-powered filter,” says Henrietta.

For more sensitive renovations, see:

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Frequently asked questions

Who is Charlie Luxton?

Charlie Luxton is an architect and TV presenter in the UK.

What is the Lamorna bungalow in Cotswold?

The Lamorna bungalow is a renovation project undertaken by Charlie Luxton in Cotswold, which has transformed a dated bungalow into a beautiful and contemporary living space.

What was the inspiration behind the Lamorna bungalow renovation project?

The inspiration behind the Lamorna bungalow renovation project was to create a sustainable and eco-friendly living space that blends seamlessly with its surroundings.

What were the major changes made to the Lamorna bungalow?

The major changes made to the Lamorna bungalow include adding a first floor and a green roof, replacing the windows and doors with energy-efficient alternatives, and installing a new heating system and insulation to make the house more energy-efficient.

How long did it take to complete the renovation project?

The renovation project took approximately 18 months to complete.

What kind of sustainable materials were used in the renovation project?

Sustainable materials such as locally sourced timber, natural insulations, and recycled materials were used in the renovation project.

What kind of energy-efficient systems were installed in the Lamorna bungalow?

The Lamorna bungalow features an air-source heat pump, solar thermal panels, and a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery, making it more energy-efficient.

What did the renovation project aim to achieve?

The renovation project aimed to achieve a sustainable and eco-friendly living space that has a strong connection to its natural surroundings.

Where can I see more photos and information about the Lamorna bungalow renovation project?

You can see more photos and information about the Lamorna bungalow renovation project on the Remodelista website.

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