We’re delighted to share that Barton Cottage, our founder James’s own home on the Norfolk Broads, will be featured on Channel 4’s Extraordinary Extensions, airing Tuesday 29 July at 8pm.

Unlike most of our projects, this one was deeply personal. It was an opportunity to demonstrate that sustainable construction doesn’t mean compromising on quality, craftsmanship or design.

James conceived, designed and delivered the renovation himself, transforming a c.1750 listed thatched cottage through a carefully considered extension and refurbishment, working closely with local architects and skilled craftspeople throughout.

Some of the project’s highlights include:

• No concrete, steel, plastic or cement used anywhere in the build.
• Limecrete and recycled glass foam aggregate foundations.
• A new Douglas fir timber frame, left honestly exposed.
• Fully breathable walls and roof, finished with lime plaster.
• Handmade clay brick and a handcrafted standing seam roof.
• An oil boiler replaced with a wood pellet boiler.
• Charred Scottish larch cladding to the new extension.

Barton Cottage brought together many of the principles that shaped our approach to engineering and sustainability, putting low-carbon design into practice on one of our own homes. We’re incredibly excited to see the project shared with a national audience.

Watch Barton Cottage on Extraordinary Extensions, Channel 4, Tuesday 29 July at 8pm.

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