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FARMSTEAD

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OEB were asked to envision the reorganisation, upgrade, and extension of a large farmstead in West Sussex as a new generation of the client family prepared to take over the running of it. Our research and proposals were presented in a carefully designed book that could be read in depth, easily kept on a bedside table to be dipped into, or kept on a shelf for future reference.

We investigated a range of ways that the large farmhouse could be adapted to suit the lives of the clients’ young family, while respecting the historic qualities of the building that they liked. Of great importance to them was finding new approaches to connect better with the surrounding gardens, and views of the beautiful landscape of the South Downs beyond. The rooms of the house have a very consistent horizontal character, so our proposals also sought to bring light and drama to the interior, investigating the potential locations for the creation of a spacious double height room that would act as the focus of family togetherness.

Our work also analysed future uses for the collection of outbuildings around the farmhouse, looking at how they could work together or as distinct elements playing a role in the ongoing land management plan. 

The study provides a wide reaching framework to empower the clients in their phased development and improvements to the site over the next decade.

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