Having acquired a neglected farm together with semi-derelict agricultural buildings set around a large courtyard the client brief was to create an ‘oasis’ where living, working and entertaining could all be sustained entirely on the site. Ideas of sustainability and growing of food overlapped with issues of privacy and accommodating the mix of uses.

AROS initially developed a long-term vision plan for the property in conjunction with Stuart Craine landscape design, implementing the bones of the landscape by creating a swimming lake and boat house, parkland, orchards, and careful ground contouring to protect exposed part of the site and assist with land drainage.

Architecturally, the buildings around the courtyard were converted into the family home, new offices for a property company, gym, games room and ancillary accommodation whilst a crisp landscaping scheme was implemented for the courtyard. Sustainable design includes ground