The Grade II listed property was a small former park keepers lodge and had fallen in to a state of dereliction until it was sold at auction in 2005. Throughout the design process we were aware of the need to ensure that the existing house retained an identity of its own and wasn't overly dominated by the extension. We also attempted to reflect the existing house and its surroundings through the palate of materials specified. The use of matching brickwork to the ground floor front elevation of the extension related the contemporary structure to the original house directly. We also chose to use cedar cladding to the first floor which softens the external appearance, and relates to the surrounding woodland. The cedar, if left untreated, will slowly turn a silver/ grey colour again harmonising with its surroundings. All the window frames are aluminium which allows for a low U-Value to be achieved, offsetting the amount of glass used to embrace the views. The recessed roofs above the central circulation area were clad in lead with a standing seam. This echoes the details on the original house and relates to the steelwork cladding around the balcony, bay window head, and the parapet edging.