Meadow view is the complete transformation of a detached 1970s property set in The Chilterns Area Of Outstanding National Beauty. The existing house was of low quality and was too cold in the winter and overheated in summer. The property had been extended over the years, resulting in a series of dark, poorly connected rooms that did not meet our Client's needs. Additionally the property did not make the most out of the views across the meadows beyond. The proposal reconfigures the ground floor and adds a double storey side extension to create a "broken plan" ground floor and new master suite at first floor level. The main body of the house at ground floor level has been completely opened up to create a family oriented open plan kitchen/living/dining space that opens out onto a raised terrace overlooking the meadow beyond. A new dedicated living space is created off this main space and is connected by a large pocket sliding door. When open the two spaces flow seamlessly between one another and when closed it creates a parents only space away from the mess of daily family life. Large windows and openings at the rear of the building frame the view out over the meadows. Externally the existing fabric is upgraded to improve the sustainability and appearance of the building. A new layer of insulation is added to all the external walls and large, handmade hung tiles are applied front and back to give a more contemporary look to the building. As a counterpoint to the existing house, the extension to the building is clad in charred timber with all of the other materials to the side of the house painted black to match. A planning restriction meant that the roof material had to remain as existing. The front of the house faces due south meaning the rear garden is predominantly in shade until the later summer months. Through a solar analysis process, we determined that an enclosed courtyard space to the side of the house would create an outdoor space that would receive direct sunlight throughout all times of the year and yet still remain private. This space also had the benefit of being level with the main living space compared with the rear garden which is set several meters lower. The side courtyard garden connects up with the rear terrace and creates a connected triangle of space through the main living space, perfect for entertaining.