Chatley Lodge | AOC architects

Rural Somerset has a picturesque beauty defined by natural topography, agricultural structures, economical efficiency, statutory regulations and a touch of whimsy. Our building at Chatley Lodge continues this tradition to create a studio and garage at the bottom of the garden of a Victorian house for a family of four. The new building is a pitched roof, barn-like structure, shaped by the parameters of statutory permitted development and the continued growth of a retained tree and hedgerow. Externally the walls and roof are clad in lapped black rubber, creating a structure that is both alien and part of the surrounding landscape, like a Friesian cow in a field. The timber-framed building sits on a concrete deck that grows out of the gently sloping garden to form a flush garage entrance, a garden step and an elevated sun terrace. Clad in black and white ceramic chevrons it welcomes the lawn into the interior and points towards the framed view of the Westbury White Horse beyond. A combination of raw and refined interiors reflect the contradictory demands of rural life. The garage interior is left raw, with exposed timber framing providing useful fixing posts for tools, canoes, bikes and wetsuits, leaving floor space for the much-loved VW camper van. The studio is super insulated and lined in ply, creating a warm, timber-scented room. Blackout and gold mesh curtains allow those inside to control and filter their relationship with the views and adjacent garden, creating either a discreet retreat or a relaxed extension of family life.