The Moat House

The Moat House: A home of contrasts — where heritage meets contemporary design.

Hidden behind a traditional stone cottage in the heart of the lower Wye Valley National Landscape, The Moat House unfolds as a home of thoughtful contrasts — where heritage meets contemporary clarity, and where the past is honoured through the careful shaping of the present. Nestled within mature gardens and sheltered from the rural lane above, the cottage holds a sense of timeless charm. The new rear extension, calm and understated in its presence, gently rebalances the home, opening it to light, landscape, and a renewed way of living.

Before the design took shape, the cottage struggled with a poorly constructed conservatory that neither supported the home’s function nor reflected its heritage significance. Removing this structure allowed the building to breathe again, creating an opportunity to craft a space that not only improved the daily experience of the inhabitants but deepened the home’s relationship to its garden. The contemporary single-storey extension now provides a generous open-plan kitchen, dining, and living space — carefully positioned to draw sunlight throughout the day and frame views toward the private courtyard.

A mezzanine level above the kitchen introduces height and volume into the heart of the home, creating a moment of architectural lift that contrasts beautifully with the intimacy of the original cottage rooms. Level access to the courtyard and terrace further anchors the new spaces in the landscape, inviting effortless movement between indoors and out.

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Project Detail

The extension is conceived as a refined counterpoint to the Grade II listed fabric. Clad in zinc with crisp detailing and a measured, low-lying form, it sits quietly behind the cottage — distinct yet respectful. The new structure contrasts intentionally with the existing stone, allowing the historic building to retain its character while the extension introduces a contemporary language of lightness and precision. High-performance glazing opens the rear elevation, bringing daylight deep into the plan and offering uninterrupted views to the courtyard. Internally, the double-height mezzanine space adds spatial drama while maintaining a sense of warmth and human scale. Material choices were guided by longevity, sustainability, and contextual sensitivity, resulting in a modern intervention that enhances energy efficiency and durability without compromising heritage value. Through careful siting, crafted proportions, and a harmonious interplay of old and new, The Moat House becomes a home that feels both renewed and timeless — deeply rooted in its valley setting while confidently embracing the future.