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Family Residence Feature:

Inside a Modern Cotswolds Home by Tom Gresford

Inside a Modern Cotswolds Home by Tom Gresford

Overview

On the edge of The Cotswold, this family home by Gresford Architects is a careful reworking of what already exists. “We feel really, really passionately about not rebuilding where you don’t have to,” says architect and homeowner Tom Gresford. Rather than demolish, the original bungalow footprint was retained, extended upward, and re-insulated to form a contemporary family house.

Developer

Gresford Architects

Type

Family Residence

Location

Cotswolds, England

Services

Full Feature on YouTube, IG, FB & TikTok

Presented by

Tom Gresford

Modern wooden house with large glass windows and solar panels on the roof, surrounded by lush greenery and a manicured lawn under a clear blue sky.

Photo: Gresford Architects

Windows, openings, and proportions were largely preserved, reducing embodied carbon while shaping a distinct architectural identity. “When you look at original pictures of the bungalow you can see immediately that this house is that house,” Gresford notes.

Material Grown on Site

Materiality is inseparable from place. Sixteen Western red cedar trees once stood on the plot and now form the home’s external cladding. “The wood that the house is clad in was grown right here,” says Gresford. As it silvers with age, the cedar further anchors the house in its rural setting.

This approach reflects a broader sustainability ethos. Retention, insulation, and careful detailing define the project, allowing environmental responsibility to inform both performance and character.

Modern hallway with dark paneling to the left and warm wood tones on the right. The space is bright, leading to a dining area with a large table and chairs, giving a welcoming, open feel.

Photo: Gresford Architects

A Measured Arrival

The entrance hall acts as the home’s organisational core. The front door was relocated into an existing opening, formerly a bathroom window, preserving structure while reshaping arrival. Views are deliberately withheld. “We wanted to draw you in, experience the space, and then have the reveal,” Gresford explains.

Movement through the house unfolds in a deliberate sequence, heightening the impact of the landscape once it finally comes into view.

Modern kitchen with large window overlooking greenery. Dark cabinets, indoor plants on the counter, and a vase of colorful flowers create a serene ambiance.

Photo: Gresford Architects

Living with the Landscape

The main kitchen, dining, and living space opens fully to sweeping countryside views. The house north-facing by nature was thoughtfully embraced and retained. “We still had to work with this incredible view,” says Gresford. A former conservatory was replaced with a glazed extension that blurs inside and out.

Cedar wraps across ceilings and walls, while planting reaches the glass. Referencing the Japanese idea of borrowed landscape, the architecture draws the horizon directly into everyday life.

Modern kitchen and dining area with a large wooden table surrounded by eight chairs. Bright artwork and floral arrangements add vibrant color and a welcoming atmosphere.

The Social Hub

At the centre sits the dining table, positioned exactly where it stood in the original bungalow. “For me, the dining table is the most important piece of furniture in the house,” Gresford says. The kitchen also remains in its original location, tying present use to past layout.

The island overlooks dining, living, and landscape, supporting what Gresford describes as “sociable cooking”. Morning light floods the space, while views to the drive connect cooking in daily routines.

Modern living room with large glass doors, showcasing a cozy sofa, bookshelves, and potted plants. A cat walks on the wooden floor, enhancing the warm, serene ambiance.

Photo: Gresford Architects

Modern living room with large glass windows showcasing a lush garden view. Two gray sofas and a glass table create a serene, airy atmosphere.

Photo: Gresford Architects

Comfort Without Heating

 

Designed to the EnerPHIT retrofit standard, the house has no traditional heating system. Airtight construction and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery retain warmth generated by daily life. “Just walking around creates heat,” Gresford explains.

Solar panels and battery storage allow summer energy independence, reinforcing a seamless relationship between comfort, sustainability, and landscape.

View of a hallway with dark blue walls framing a warm, golden wooden door. Bright lighting creates a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
A dimly lit hallway features wooden paneling on the left, a cabinet with decor on the right, and leads to a bright office with chairs and wall art.
Cozy bedroom with white bunk bed, ladder, and gray armchair. Large window with orange curtain offers a view of trees, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
A minimalist bathroom with a wooden door slightly ajar, revealing a serene bathtub. Frosted glass panel, beige tiled wall, and soft natural light create a calming atmosphere.

Private Spaces with Expansive Views

Upstairs, the mood shifts with darker spaces heightening contrast, leading to identical children’s bedrooms with generous height and mezzanine play areas. Small internal windows allow the children to connect and play across the hall.

Bright bedroom with a large colorful abstract painting on the wall. Cozy bed with pillows and a green throw, beneath a skylight, creating a serene atmosphere.

Photo: Gresford Architects

The main suite sits at the end of the journey. Positioned for uninterrupted views, it pairs north-facing countryside with an east-facing roof light. “We wanted to wake up and look out at empty open countryside,” says Gresford. A Juliet balcony allows the landscape to be experienced at close range.

Wooden exterior wall with a wide window above a garden of colorful flowers and shrubs. Vertical blinds are visible through the window, and a decorative chain hangs to the right.

Photo: Gresford Architects

A serene garden outside a modern home with large glass windows reveals a cozy interior. Inside, a flamingo sculpture stands next to a sofa and bookshelves.

Photo: Gresford Architects

A House Shaped by Life

Influences from Australia, Hong Kong, and Japan are woven into a distinctly Cotswold setting. Village life, freedom for children, and a strong community underpin the move from London. “That’s the childhood we wanted them to have,” Gresford reflects.

Defined by memory, landscape, and daily life, the house feels grounded within its setting. For a closer look at the house, its playful touches and clever features, watch Tom’s full tour here.

Gallery

The Finer Details.

Modern kitchen with large window showing lush greenery. Counter with plants and flowers creates a serene, cozy ambiance with natural light.
A wooden shed with a corrugated metal roof sits amid lush greenery, surrounded by trees and grass, conveying a sense of tranquility and nature.
Modern kitchen with a sleek island, colorful fruit bowl, and fresh flowers. Art pieces adorn pink walls, creating a warm, inviting ambiance.
Modern living room with large glass windows showcasing a lush garden view. Two gray sofas and a glass table create a serene, airy atmosphere.
Modern living room with large glass doors, showcasing a cozy sofa, bookshelves, and potted plants. A cat walks on the wooden floor, enhancing the warm, serene ambiance.
Modern hallway with dark paneling to the left and warm wood tones on the right. The space is bright, leading to a dining area with a large table and chairs, giving a welcoming, open feel.

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