This house, steeped in history and nestled in the countryside not far from Aldington in Kent is a testament to centuries of evolution. Built in stages over all these generations -starting in the 1600’s, its structure is an intricate patchwork of additions and alterations—each era leaving its mark as one part swallowed or cut into another. Our work centered on untangling this layered history, carefully sifting through the building’s many transformations to uncover its hidden narratives.

Among the discoveries was a smaller, older roof concealed beneath a later, larger one—a striking reminder of the house’s organic, ad-hoc development. Rather than imposing a rigid structure, we embraced this irregular evolution, allowing it to guide our approach. We went as far as leaving one of the spaces ‘in ruin’ as a way of more strongly revealing the building’s history. The sequence of spaces, shaped over time by necessity and adaptation, became the foundation for our design.

As we reinstated and refined historic details, we also introduced new elements that complemented and enriched the existing fabric. Our aim was not to erase the house’s past but to enhance its depth—creating a holistic composition where each layer, whether centuries-old or newly added, plays a role in revealing its age, character, and memories. The result is a home that feels both deeply rooted in history and thoughtfully resolved for the present, a place where time itself can be read in its walls, thresholds, and spaces.

Our work was in collaboration with talented interior designers Christopher Wood and Carolyn Benson. They brought a rich array of colours, fabrics and textures throughout the house.