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+44 1494 778 787
Ridgeway House in Oxfordshire, RIBA South award winner 2026, is a new dwelling with a history in this special location with far reaching views. Read on to find out more.
Project details
Architect: Charlie Luxton Design
Contractor: Make Group @makegroupuk
Front door: Urban Front Corten steel door with concealed handle (1170 by 2434mm) and side light (518 by 2434mm)
Second door: Raw in European oak (965 by 2440mm) clad on site
Structural engineer: Varndell Engineering @varndelleng
Planning consultant: Howard Cole
Sustainability The Healthy Home
Landscape and garden: Bestique Studio @anoushkafeiler_bestique
Joinery: Edmont Joinery @edmont_joinery
Flooring: Reclaimed Flooring @reclaimedflooringco
Windows: At-Eco and Internorn @atecowindowsanddoors @internorm_uk
Oak cladding: Vastern Timber @vasterntimber
Tiling: Petersen Tegl @petersentegl
Insulation and lime plaster: Ecological Building Systems @ecologicalbuildingsystems
Clay pavers: Brickworks Vande Moortel @brickworksvandemoortel
Photography: Ed RS Aves
What was the brief and how did you meet it?
Positioned on the edge of the Ridgeway in Oxfordshire with stunning vistas, our scheme sought to reconnect the buildings with the views while reinstating their original farmyard character. We have reduced and simplified the number of buildings that had grown up across the site. A contemporary replacement dwelling has been carefully designed to reinforce the sense of place and relates to the original layout as seen in historical maps and photographs. The traditional farmyard character of the site has been restored, and the buildings are integrated into the wider setting.
How is the home configured?
The replacement two-storey dwelling is designed to be flexible, suitable for modern family lifestyles, and to provide long term accommodation. The ground floor consists of an open-plan living/kitchen/dining area, separate snug and utility/boot room spaces. A master suite and further two bedrooms along with a family bathroom are located at first floor. Two accessible bedrooms with ensuites are located on the site of the existing stable block, opening onto the courtyard.
What materials did you choose and why?
A simple material palette has been chosen to be durable and long lasting. Native oak cladding which will silver with age, bricks reclaimed from the original farmhouse, and Corten steel inspired metal agricultural buildings.
Why did you choose an Urban Front door?
The door was chosen because Urban Front doors were the best product we could find and could provide a door with a finish similar to that of the Corten detailing on the building. Steel was chosen because it's a durable and long-lasting material, which sits comfortably with the robust architectural detailing. We are very happy with the result. The door is of high quality and minimally detailed, which works within the entrance facade.
Tell us about the rural location
The landscaping of the wider site is naturalistic in character, sown with native meadow species to improve biodiversity and provide wildlife habitats. An important aspect of the project was to retain several mature trees. One much loved tree had to be carefully removed, and was later made into a dining table and various other pieces for the finished home.
Is the property sustainable?
Ridgeway is built to the highest standards of thermal efficiency and uses low-energy systems such as air/ground source heat pump (ASHP/ GSHP), solar array and mechanical ventilation heat recovery (MVHR).