Duggan Morris Architects

Old Bearhurst . Upper Rother Valley

Duggan Morris Architects . photos © James Brittain . + flodeau

Old Bearhurst involved the extensive remodelling of a two century old Oast House to provide space to accommodate the client's growing family.

The scheme included a complete overhaul of the existing barn and roundels as well as the construction of a new annex. The building is set within agricultural land and defined by an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which has drawn out a unique response to the topography, landscape, history and setting.
The project was aimed at creating a unified series of flowing, contemporary spaces, allowing a greater degree of flexibility, linking internal spaces to the impressive rolling fields to the south, and the higher meadow land of the north. Equally, the brief called for a building with character and personality, respectful of the existing Oast house, and taking advantage of the views and surrounding environment. A key objective of the brief was to 'rediscover' the integrity of the building through careful observation and research where new additions and alterations would work harmoniously to create a new envisioned whole.
However, the core ambition of the scheme was to create a dwelling which, over time, would come to reflect an exemplar approach to contemporary rural renovation work and to create a flexible living environment for the growing family within the exceptional surrounds.