Project 87 – The Wheatley Oast, Hampshire
A highly ambitious proposal for the extension of a Grade II listed oast house set within the Hampshire countryside, combining contemporary subterranean architecture with the historic rural landscape.
The project was commissioned to significantly expand a Grade II listed oast house while preserving the beauty of the surrounding landscape and the long views across the site. Rather than introducing large visible additions, the design developed a series of carefully integrated subterranean interventions that allowed the historic form of the oast house to remain visually dominant.
A new curved underground wing was proposed to accommodate additional bedrooms overlooking a proposed swimming pool, while a further subterranean structure would house the client’s collection of sports cars. In addition, a discreet two-storey extension spanning the full width of the rear elevation was designed to expand the main living accommodation.
The scheme received full planning permission and listed building consent. Although the project has not yet been realised, the property has recently been marketed by Savills and the practice continues to hope that the approved scheme may one day be implemented. The consent represents one of the most ambitious approvals for the extension of a listed domestic property in the UK.
