Greenfields

Set in the charming village of Wyck Rissington in Gloucestershire, Greenfields is a secluded dwelling that has been redesigned to create a stunning home, paying homage to its past and celebrating its future.

The property sits adjacent to Greenfields Farm’s agricultural buildings surrounded by open countryside, located on the periphery of the conservation area. The original 17th–18th century cottage is Grade II listed, while the later 20th-century extensions to the west and east fall within the property’s curtilage listing.

The new owners were keen to reimagine the existing interiors to create luxurious living accommodation for both the shared and larger private spaces. Their vision also included converting the garage into two guest bedrooms with en-suite facilities, linking to the main house via a partially glazed, partially boarded corridor beneath the existing porch.

However, given the property’s listed status and sensitive setting within this Cotswold National Landscape, it was crucial that any alterations considered its historic character while enhancing modern day living. To achieve this delicate balance, the owners  enlisted Tyack Architects to help bring their vision to life.

Respecting the heritage of Greenfields while elevating its interiors with natural light and the exterior aesthetics was central to the design challenge. The cottage’s traditional bands of orange and cream limestone, dressed stone quoins, and stone slate roofs defined its historic character. The modern 20th-century additions, comprising of the sitting room, kitchen, additional bedrooms and swimming pool, also constructed of banded limestone with a stone slate roof, spoke of more recent layers of history.

The existing rooflights told a different story. Large and unsympathetic to the building’s period detailing, they disrupted the harmony of the Cotswold stone roofscape.

Therefore, replacing with an authentic, conservation appropriate solution became a key element of Tyack Architects’ proposed plans.

The solution came through The Rooflight Co.’s Conservation Rooflights, specifically designed to sit flush with the roofline, preserving the home’s heritage aesthetic while introducing maximum light and comfort.

The slim black frames and traditional detailing meant that all the new rooflights would blend effortlessly, within both the old and new parts of the property, creating a cohesive design. Two new rooflights over the first floor of the west wing, with enlarged proportions, were positioned to draw in more daylight and transform the ambience of the interior spaces.

A further two rooflights were strategically placed within the existing garage to brighten circulation areas, one above the stairs and another to bring much-needed light into the doorway of the new bedrooms.

A smaller Conservation Rooflight was also installed on the top floor, providing essential daylight to a bedroom where original apertures had long been compromised by later extensions.

The east wing of the Listed Farmhouse was enhanced on the rear roof slope using the low-profile rooflights designed to be sympathetic to the listed building.

Collectively, the handcrafted Conservation Rooflights remain respectful to the character of the original cottage, complementing its Grade II listed architecture while achieving the perfect balance of authenticity, functionality, and refined design.

The transformation of Greenfields celebrates both heritage and modern living in every way. When viewed from the outside it is striking how the traditional Conservation Rooflights achieve a beautiful flush finish that sit perfectly with the Cotswold stone slate roof. This subtle yet significant change restores the building’s architectural integrity, allowing the historic roofscape to read as it was intended – clean, coherent, and sensitive to its Grade II listed status. The slim profiles ensure they are visually discreet, while the traditional glazing bars and clips offer historical accuracy to the overall composition of the roof.

By reconfiguring the interior spaces and maximising the use of natural light, the home now flows effortlessly, connecting rooms but also extending out to the landscaped gardens and sweeping countryside beyond.

This marks a new chapter in the story of Greenfields, where the building’s history is preserved and the owners’ vision has been realised with light-filled, luxury living spaces all connected beautifully to its rural surroundings.