Farningham House Cottage | Emrys Architects

The client owned a traditional cottage with a detached outhouse and stable block. The client sought a renovation which unified these disparate buildings into a single dwelling

The architect conceived the surgical insertion of a glazed corridor to connect these buildings. This glazed corridor slices neatly through the rear of the first outhouse which has been remodelled into a small double height guest room with mezzanine bathroom above the office. The glazed corridor forms the edge to external courtyards on each side and extends to the stable block which includes an open plan kitchen, dining, and living area within the roof space.

This is a discreet and minimal intervention as well as superb restoration & exploitation of the outhouse and stable block. I enjoyed the surgical 45 degree incision where the glass corridor meets the stable wall - to ensure the door aperture does not disrupt the symmetry of the timber stalls in the stable. While the architect’s role was clearly vital in establishing the strategy it is unclear as to the extent of his role – certainly the clients carried out a huge amount of the restoration themselves with great love.

This project appears a clever and minimal sleight of hand which unlocks a congested backyard - one is drawn to Whistler’s quip about having needed a lifetime to learn how to rattle off a quick sketch. Whoever did what it is clear that the result of the union of client and architect has resulted in a delightful and ingenious composition.