Buttermere Close
Cockermouth, Cumbria
Buttermere Close is a 230 sqm two-storey detached home in the town of Cockermouth, near the Lake District National Park. Located on the eastern edge of town, the property benefits from a south-facing garden with open views across neighbouring pastureland.
The clients sought to increase the internal floor area of their home and improve the existing ground floor layout. The final proposal includes a south-facing extension that accommodates a new open-plan kitchen and dining space opening directly onto the garden. Internally, the ground floor was reconfigured to allow for a larger utility room and bathroom.
Above the existing garage, a first-floor extension adds two generous bedrooms, while the loft conversion introduces a home office, WC, and playroom. The new dormers feature full-height French doors, flooding the upper floor with natural light and offering elevated views of the surrounding landscape.
The first-floor extension helps establish a cleaner, more cohesive building form. Timber cladding wraps the entire first floor, visually unifying the old and new elements and softening the distinction between them. This approach introduces a warm, natural material palette that complements the rural context.
All windows and doors have been upgraded to high-performance triple glazing, while solar PV panels and a home battery storage system have been installed to increase energy efficiency and self-sufficiency. A retrofitted MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) system further improves indoor air quality and thermal comfort. These thoughtful upgrades significantly boost the home’s energy performance and long-term resilience while also enhancing its comfort, functionality, and suitability for modern family life.
From the clients:
“Tim provided a professional end-to-end architectural service, with routine, friendly and helpful guidance. He designed a beautiful, sustainable extension and redevelopment of our property. From capturing our requirements, to concept design (optioneering), production of preliminary design drawings, writing the design and access statement, planning permission submission and approval, and finally issuing detailed design (construction ready) drawings, we've been very impressed with the timely and quality production of work, and felt supported throughout the entire process. I would highly recommend Tim for any architectural work you are considering.”
