Cooke
Fawcett

2018-22

Quidhampton Mill House,

Sensitive refurbishment and extension of a Grade II listed, former water-powered corn mill and attached cottage.

Context

Acquired by a couple seeking to relocate from London, the mill and cottage date from the 17th and 19th Centuries respectively and sit within an ancient site on the River Test.

The property lacked a generous living space and took little advantage of its landscape situation. Its adaptation required a sophisticated approach, respecting the listed status of the building, the complex ecological conditions of the site, and its proximity to a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The roof space of the mill is also a roosting site for bats.

Our scheme reorients the building and provides it with a new living and dining room opening onto the garden.

Process

Our design process was informed by thorough heritage and ecological appraisals, and involved consultation with the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings as well as close dialogue with conservation officers.

The thermal performance of the house has been upgraded as part of the refurbishment, using natural insulation materials and lime plaster sympathetic to the original fabric. The reduced heating demand enabled by this thermal upgrade facilitated a switch over from an oil based heating system to a new renewable water source heat pump installed in the existing mill race.