11/09/2026
Very proud to receive the Worcestershire Architecture Award 2026 for Best Private House. The judges commended the project for its beautiful use of materials and its harmonious relationship with the site and surrounding landscape.
The Old Garden House is a project that is very close to Joe’s heart (receiving the award on the right). It transforms a redundant agricultural pack house on a former market garden in Stoulton into a contemporary multigenerational home. Designed to balance togetherness and independence, the house provides flexible, accessible living spaces that support changing family needs while encouraging everyday connection.
Inspired by the site’s agricultural heritage, the design reinterprets the traditional farmyard as a series of interconnected barn forms arranged around a robust brick plinth. Distinct volumes accommodate social, service and private spaces, creating a home that is both intimate for daily life and adaptable for larger family gatherings.
A restrained palette of brick, charred timber and zinc reflects the character of traditional farm buildings, while reclaimed materials and salvaged farm artefacts reinforce the connection to the site’s history. Sustainability and longevity underpin the design, with a fabric-first approach delivering exceptional energy performance, while the landscape strategy enhances biodiversity and celebrates the rural setting.
The result is a sustainable and adaptable family home that connects past and present, enabling three generations to live together in a practical, supportive and enriching environment.
