Downs House, Suffolk
refurbishment of an existing 18th-century wing
Downs House, Suffolk
The client’s brief was to refurbish the existing 18th-century wing, creating a new library, shower room, and games room, whilst adding a sensitive extension for a reading room and gallery.
The new extension was a unique clay-tiled pavilion, connected to the house by a frameless glazed link, echoing the southerly gable of the original house. The pavilion forms an open courtyard to the south, framing views back to the village and surrounding landscape. Its timber frame is clad externally in clay peg tiles from the local Bulmers Brickworks, while internally, solid oak ribs and quarter-sawn oak-veneered panels sit above a recycled slate floor.
Working closely with the architects, we carefully selected locally sourced, natural materials to ensure the extension is a subtle, respectful complement to the historic house. Glulam sections were cut on site to achieve a pyramidal roof form, with bespoke Keymer tiles for ridge and eaves details. The project combined hand-made materials on the exterior with a precision-made oak-lined interior resulting in a contemporary addition deeply rooted in context and craftsmanship.
