Site History and Context

Buckhurst lies along Westwood Lane to the north of Flexford, within the Surrey Green Belt. The estate is anchored by Buckhurst House, a Grade II listed property of significant historic character, set within extensive landscaped grounds. To the north of the main house stands a large permanent haybarn, constructed of brick with corrugated iron sheeting, and historically used for machinery storage and estate maintenance.

The immediate setting is a mix of residential and rural uses: to the south, the curtilage of Buckhurst; to the west, open fields; to the east, Westwood Lane with further countryside beyond; and to the north, more fields leading to Parwood Equestrian Centre and scattered residential properties. The barn sits within a yard to the west, with an area of hardstanding and driveway access to the east, reflecting its former agricultural function within the estate.

Design Response

The proposal takes inspiration from the simplicity and permanence of traditional barn architecture. The eastern elevation is defined by restrained openings, preserving a sense of solidity, while the western elevation opens dramatically with a broad span of glazing, framing views over the gardens and landscape. The garage is repositioned towards the southern portion of the site, ensuring both practicality and coherence with the overall arrangement.

Internally, a sculptural staircase acts as the centrepiece, connecting ground and first floors while animating double-height spaces that draw daylight deep into the plan. The ground floor is arranged with formal living and dining rooms along the eastern edge, complemented by a centrally located kitchen, utility, and pantry to support modern family living.

The first floor accommodates five bedrooms, with the master suite occupying the southern wing. A generous landing and viewing area link across the double-height spaces, enhancing connectivity and light throughout the upper floor.

Externally, the architectural language employs traditional materials with a contemporary refinement: a pigmented brick plinth anchors the building, while lightweight timber cladding to the upper storeys recalls vernacular precedents. Sunken terraces and soft landscaping extend the living environment outward, blending the built form with its garden setting and reinforcing the relationship between house, barn, and countryside.