Littleworth, Oxfordshire

Designed by acclaimed studio Gresford Architects, this wonderful modern house is set in an extensive plot in Littleworth, a quiet Oxfordshire village. The design concept prioritised the reuse, refurbishment and reimagination of an existing single-storey house, and has been completed with an exacting approach to material finish and energy efficiency. Exceptionally bright living space of over 3,200 sq ft extends over two storeys, with huge picture windows looking out to the landscaped gardens and bucolic backdrop beyond.



The Architect



Gresford Architects was founded by Tom Gresford in 2006 and is based in Oxford. The practice works with new and existing (including listed) buildings through an ethos that treats them as living organisms that can adapt, change and age. Projects are characterised by a keen sense of craftsmanship and an enthusiasm for exploring surfaces, joints, textures and light.



Gresford Architects are also experts in Passivhaus design, which they have applied successfully to several refurbishment and new build projects.



Environmental Performance



The house has been designed with exceptional eco credentials. The efficient performance means that there is currently no other heating system, other than a duct heater built into the MVHR, although fused spurs with adjacent wiring have been added to the Building Management System (BMS), so heating could be added to any room as required.



There are 22 solar panels, a 16 kWh battery, and an MVHR (mechanical ventilation and heat recovery) system with a built-in duct heater, which retains fresh filtration of air throughout. Doors and windows are by Ecovia, and windows are triple-glazed, with external blinds fitted on the main south and west-facing aspects to ensure a temperate climate on hot days. An air-to-water pump heats the hot water, and there is an integrated water softener.



The Tour



Situated in a discreet position at the foot of a quiet lane, the house is hidden from view along its private, enclosed driveway. Designed to sit low and blend into the landscape, the building is entirely in keeping with the gently undulating greenbelt farmland and agricultural vernacular beyond.



Minimising the carbon footprint was integral to the overall design of the house. All elements of the existing building that already incorporated high levels of embodied carbon were carefully retained, including the existing slab, external walls, and the windows across the ground floor.



The only extension was at the rear to create a sitting area, which replaces an existing conservatory. A new first floor was added over part of the house, and the whole house was then wrapped in external wall and roof insulation.



A carefully selected palette of sustainable materials defines the home's architectural profile. A thicket of 16 western red cedar trees was taken and repurposed from the existing site, providing the house with an extraordinarily rich texture and an unfaltering connection to its context.



At ground level, the layout is conceived on plan as a series of coloured, functional boxes that flow with ease through the primary living and service areas. The entrance hall is complete with a Control4 System to control music and a smart DoorBird entry phone.



From here, the primary living spaces unfold. The B3 Bulthaup kitchen is particularly impressive, with appliances by Miele, including two ovens (one steam) and two warming drawers, along with a Bora induction hob with downdraft extractor, three fridges and a freezer. Porcelain floors by Mosa, and timber boards by Dinesen, run underfoot, and a large pantry is set to one side.



The dining/sitting area has sliding glass doors that open the entire space to the gardens. Designed to ensure a natural transition between inside and out, an expansive veranda has been added to the adjacent internal living space. The sitting room lies to one side - a more intimate space for reading or film, and wired to fit a home cinema. Deltalight Lighting has been fitted and can be adapted for mood and occasion.



Adapting with ease to accommodate guests or to enclose a home-working space, two further rooms lie on the ground floor living space, with pocket doors for privacy and lines of bespoke joinery to create a generous storage provision.



Ascending the central stair, an arterial first-floor corridor connects the three bedrooms. The main bedroom is positioned on the north-western side; it has a huge picture window framing spectacular views across the surrounding landscape and a smart en suite. A shared bathroom has been equally well considered, with sanitaryware by Duravit and Hansgrohe and tiles by Mosa.



The entire house is smart-wired; lighting and other functions, including music and blinds, are controlled by a KNX-based Building Management System (BMS) that is fully adaptable and customisable, with scope to extend the capabilities of the system.



Outdoor Space



The gardens have been equally well considered and professionally landscaped. Much of the space has been laid out to lawn and is bordered by mature hedging and trees. There is a lovely kitchen garden and greenhouse, and plum and apple trees that nod to the original orchard site.



Outbuildings include a generous double garage, two sheds and a summerhouse. There are additional structures that provide scope for further development with the relevant permissions in place.



There is also an external store room and private, off-street parking for multiple vehicles.



The Area



Littleworth is a friendly village in the Oxfordshire countryside, close to the border with Wiltshire and overlooking the Cotswolds. It has a buoyant local community, with regular events including village fêtes, coffee mornings, and concerts, as well as a recreation ground for children.



There are plenty of wonderful places to dine nearby, including the Snooty Mehmaan and a wonderful bakery, Blake's Kitchen, in the neighbouring village of Clanfield, which has received particular acclaim for its cinnamon buns and sourdough. Faringdon is home to a great local tapas restaurant, La Chicas, along with local cafés.



Swindon can be reached in under half an hour, while Oxford is around a 25-minute drive away. The latter is known for its dramatic architecture and brilliant cultural scene, from the Ashmolean, Britain’s first public museum, to the Pitt Rivers and Modern Art Oxford. There are also some wonderful restaurants, including Gees and Number 10 Ship Street.



The village’s position between the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the North Wessex Downs means that opportunities for walking or cycling are near endless. There are delightful routes from the village too - not least along the meandering footpath that follows a stretch of the River Thames.



There are state-run schools locally, including Buckland CofE Primary. Private options include St Hugh’s prep, a well-regarded school three minutes' drive from the house. The King’s School Witney, Abingdon, St Helen and St Katharine, and Radley College are all within driving distance.



London is around two hours away by car, or under an hour by train from Oxford station. There are also great road connections to the surrounding area and the national motorway network.



Council Tax Band: G