The Pavilion sits within a large estate and began life as a decorative folly before being adapted into a residence. Over time, a poorly conceived mid-century extension compromised both the appearance and function of the original Grade II listed rotunda. The client’s brief was clear: restore the Pavilion’s architectural integrity while expanding the home to meet contemporary needs, without undermining its heritage value. Rather than approaching the project as a simple removal and replacement exercise, the design team saw an opportunity to repair the damage caused by previous interventions and introduce a confident yet restrained new extension. The aim was to allow the historic structure to regain prominence while supporting modern living standards.
A deliberate architectural intervention
The unsympathetic extension was partially demolished in line with conservation guidance, opening the site both physically and visually. The new addition is carefully positioned and proportioned, enhancing the rotunda rather than competing with it. It provides generous, light-filled living spaces, two bedrooms, and a productive kitchen garden, all while responding to the natural contours of the surrounding parkland.
The extension is subtly recessed and embedded within the landscape, preserving key sightlines and maintaining the Pavilion’s presence as the primary architectural feature. Internally, the new spaces connect seamlessly with the historic structure, supporting everyday use without compromising the original layout.
Material reuse and low-impact construction
Material strategy played a central role in reducing embodied carbon. Reclaimed materials from the demolished sections were reused on site as hardcore, limiting waste and transport impacts. Natural oak beams and materials of local provenance were incorporated into the new construction, reinforcing durability and regional identity.
A significant moment in the project was the careful uncovering and restoration of an original listed stone wall that had been obscured by later additions. Retaining and celebrating this element not only reduced the need for new materials but also reintroduced an important part of the Pavilion’s architectural character.
Environmental performance within constraints
Despite the limitations of working with a listed structure, the project achieved an energy demand of 38 kWh/m²/year, a strong result for a building of its age and context. While the Pavilion was not ideally oriented, passive solar strategies were carefully applied. These included improved glazing performance, solar shading films, and thoughtful window placement to regulate heat gain and loss.
RDA Architects contributed expertise in EnerPHit and Passivhaus principles, ensuring energy efficiency measures were integrated without compromising heritage value or spatial quality.
