Wootten House
Originally constructed in the early nineteenth century, Wootten House is an example of several large houses built at a similar time on the edge of the ancient Oxfordshire village of Iffley and set in generous landscaped gardens. The existing house remains a valuable and historic example of a large family home at the heart of what is now a suburb of the city of Oxford. In 2024 the new owners approached Resonant Architecture seeking advice on the extension and restoration of the building.
There have been several extensions and additions to the original nineteenth century house, in particular a large western wing added in the 1930s. The architectural proposals take the existing house and gardens as found and introduces adjustments to some non-original modifications to improve their integration with the original house. New extensions are proposed, which while modern in design are sympathetic to and reference the original while allowing the original building to be read separately in its historical form. The building is connected to a listed building to the east and thus requires listed buildings consent where the new extension to the rear is to be built alongside the boundary wall.
In order to mitigate the relatively high energy consumption of this solid-walled, detached building it is proposed to fit photovoltaic panels to the southern slope of the existing slate roof in a position that allows the panels to be hidden by other projecting parts of the roof and first floor extensions. Additionally, air source heat pumps are proposed in the garden within an acoustic enclosure to mitigate any noise generated by their operation. The heat pumps will replace a very dated central heating system currently powered by gas boilers. In order to reduce heat loss and allow the energy systems to run efficiently, internal wall insulation will be fitted throughout.
Extensive interior design work is underway, together with landscaping designs incorporating a new natural swimming pond, new terraces, patios, lawns and a return of unusued asphalted areas to planting.
The project is currently at planning.
Client: Private client
Project Type: House extension and remodel
Location: Iffley, Oxford
Status: Planning
