Langston Farm
Here at SOLID, we love looking back at past structural engineering jobs, once they have completed, and our Langston Farm project, based in the Cotswolds, is no exception.
The burnt out shell of the original Cotswold farmhouse
The Proposed
Our client’s home had been destroyed in a devastating fire. They were looking to replace the property with a new build that closely resembled the original from the streetscape. To the rear, however, they wanted the house to extend further back to allow for a considerably larger living area. Internally it was hoped that the layout could be adapted to suit modern family life, replacing smaller traditional farmhouse rooms with expanses of open-plan areas for entertaining.
The rebuilt farmhouse
The Design
William Green Architects proposed a design which incorporates formal and family reception rooms, a large kitchen, boot room and a fantastic home cinema.
One of the most eye-catching new additions to the property is the glazed orangery. The orangery offers far-reaching garden views with expanses of glass and three-metre tall, glazed doors on two sides. The grass roof appears to ‘float’ on top of the structure and has a chimney to provide ventilation for the two-sided bespoke fireplace.
Our Approach
We designed the superstructure of the farmhouse to allow for fewer load-bearing walls internally, due to the larger expanses of open plan areas. The orangery, too, bought about challenges in terms of design. We were required to omit corner steel columns in order to keep the glazing as seamless as possible, whilst still supporting the floating roof. We overcame the challenge by cantilevering steel beams to support the soffit overhang.
Principle bedroom in the farmhouse with interior design by Lauren Gilberthorpe
The project is now complete and we, along the client and architect, are thrilled with the results. With Interior Designer Lauren Gilberthorpe’s artistic design and Susan Dunstall’s garden layout Langston farm is now a beautiful family home that meets all the demands of a growing family.