Find an architect

Baywing House

South Oxfordshire

Project Details

£250,000 to £499,999

Within a Conservation Area

Practice

Guttfield Architecture

6 Station Terrace , Twyford , Berkshire , RG10 9NE , United Kingdom

Set within the Henley-on-Thames Conservation Area, Baywing House was conceived as much more than a simple rear extension. Our brief was to deliver an addition that would be rich in materiality, filled with natural light, and functionally seamless—an elegant architectural response that both complements and elevates the existing villa. The result a refined, sculptural form—its shimmering aluminium roof, subtly reminiscent of an airplane wing, gently slopes towards the garden, providing shelter and shade via a generous overhang. Rooflights are positioned tight to the original structure, drawing daylight deep into the heart of the plan. Internally, the new spaces unfold across the rear of the house in a sequence designed for modern living: cooking, dining, and relaxation areas flow effortlessly together. Bespoke full-height joinery conceals a luxurious contemporary kitchen—with all storage and appliances discreetly hidden behind seamless fronts—and also includes a secret passage through to a refurbished snug and children’s playroom. The wing rests on a polished concrete bay oriented to catch the evening light. Deep window seats flank sliding-folding doors, which open wide to dissolve the boundary between inside and out. For the concrete, a bespoke mix was developed using White Dolomite aggregate, carefully paired with white handmade Danish bricks to create a coherent material language inside and out. A new first-floor bay above increases light and space in the master bedroom, helping to rebalance the rear elevation without requiring substantial alterations to the existing upper floors. At the heart of the new dining area, a sculpted oak window seat and slatted ceiling with concealed lighting frame a striking cloud chandelier. The centrepiece: a bespoke, pebble-shaped dining table designed for both intimacy and occasion—narrow enough at one end for dinners à deux, broad enough at the other to host twelve. All joinery, including the table, was exquisitely crafted in collaboration with Joe Mellows Furniture. The kitchen is arranged around the clients’ cherished reconditioned Aga, now reimagined within a sleek, contemporary setting. Every element was tailored to achieve the clients’ wish for thoughtful organisation: full-height cupboards with pocket doors hide a coffee station, larder, fridge-freezer, and even a mirrored bar. Folding screens match the joinery, allowing the snug to be either revealed or discreetly tucked away. Baywing House is a celebration of careful craftsmanship, contextual sensitivity, and considered design—a quietly transformative addition that brings balance, light, and enduring elegance to a much-loved family home.