Mistletoe Cottage, Stelling Minnis ⏐ New Build ⏐ Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty ⏐ Curtilage of a Listed Building
Set within the curtilage of a Listed Building and the heart of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this project replaced a group of deteriorating sheds and garages with a single purpose-built structure designed in the spirit of a traditional threshing barn.
The new building provided garaging for two vehicles, secure garden storage, and a first-floor sound studio for the client, a freelance sound engineer. Its form and materials reflected the local rural vernacular, with timber cladding, a steeply pitched roof, and a glazed midstrey entrance that brought light into the upper floor while echoing traditional barn architecture.
Developed through close consultation with the Local Planning Authority, the scale was carefully reduced to ensure the building remained subservient to the host Listed Cottage and integrated seamlessly into the mature garden setting.
Sustainability was at the core of the project, incorporating photovoltaic panels, rainwater harvesting, an air-source heat pump, and low-energy systems throughout. Biodiversity enhancements included integrated bat and bird boxes.
By replacing visually intrusive structures with a sensitively designed and energy-efficient building, the project enhanced both the immediate setting and the wider AONB—demonstrating how contemporary sustainability could complement historic context.
