Ridge Cottage

Private Residential

A two bedroom cottage set on an exposed ridge near the Malvern Hills was suffering major subsidence. A decision to rebuild and remodel to improved standards was made and an opportunity to establish a better relationship with the mature gardens and long views to the hills beyond. However, the clients were also keen to retain the essence of the old cottage with its thick walls of local red sandstone and simple compact form at the north end of the site.

The south side of the cottage appears relatively ‘traditional’ with its two storey form with simple pitched roof. A second lower form wraps around on the north and west with surprising double height internal narrow spaces. A 4.5 metre high single structural glass panel and glass roof completes the ‘wrap’ and enables the long views from the kitchen, dining and mezzanine.

Local red sandstone was reclaimed from the original cottage with panels of render, natural slate and pre-weathered zinc. An air source heat pump replaces the old oil heating and with pv cell roof panels and high levels of insulation running costs are kept to a minimum.