Millies House
A delightful Grade-II listed house which revealed plenty of character and historic eccentricities as it was carefully unpicked and restored to elegance.
Cotswolds, 2024
Matthew Clay Architects were recommended for this project, transforming a tired Grade II Listed property previously formed from four cottages into a wonderful new home for our clients. Set within a charming, historic Conservation Area, the design sought to respect and restore the character within the original dwelling, and to sympathetically contrast it with new, light filled-extensions to the rear overlooking the gardens.
The Client’s brief was to create a beautiful family home that would be easy to move around in, safe, sustainable, comfortable and enjoyable to live and work in over the long term and that would be able to host family gatherings and visits from friends. The end result needed to respect and highlight the 18th Century heritage of the house and blend this with the contemporary new build elements and the gardens.
Sensitive demolition allowed the revelation of historic features, which were incorporated into the design as construction works progressed. A new stairwell formed a new heart to the home, reconciling the existing (rather haphazard) arrangement into one coherent and elegant home. To the rear, two new contemporary extensions overlook the gardens, providing a light-filled space to relax and unwind in.
Location: Conservation Area, Wiltshire
Client: Private domestic
Status: Completed (2024)
Design Team: Matthew Clay, Jack Jarrett, Zoé Mangan, James Bishop, Will Jones, David Quintana
Structural Engineer: Morcom Design Workshop
Quantity Surveyor: Smith Thomas Consult
Main Contractor: Wraxall Builders Ltd
Joinery: Westside Design, The Elements Studio
Glazing: The Cotswold Casement Company
Awards: Best Domestic Project, Steel Window Association (2025); Bath Property Awards (2024)
Matthew Clay Architects delivered a large and complex project that exceeded our brief and objectives. This would not have been possible without the establishment of an open and effective collaboration and partnership between the all the respective parties, skills and disciplines involved.
Nettie and James