Adapting layout and structure to unlock a liveable ground floor.

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Set on the edge of a Cotswold village, this new-build barn-style home began with a simple brief: design a kitchen layout before construction began. The site was still bare earth when I was brought on - initially to provide kitchen plans and utility locations so the contractor could pour the foundations.

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As the process unfolded, it became clear that the architectural plans hadn’t allowed for a utility space or plant room. My role quickly expanded, and I was tasked with reworking the ground floor layout to accommodate both. This meant redesigning the guest bedroom and ensuite in turn - carefully reshaping the plan while maintaining spatial balance.

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With layout changes approved, the next challenge was clarity. The client struggled to interpret plan drawings, so I rebuilt the ground floor in 3D and visualised the new scheme, walking her through the proposed changes in real time. This gave her the confidence to engage with the space and understand how it would function.

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As the kitchen design progressed, I also developed the staircase and fireplace to align with the kitchen’s tone and material language. The project has since continued to develop in collaboration with interior designer TaraSonningStudio, alongside the usual process of material specification, visualisation, and technical drawing.

The result is a cohesive, functional ground floor shaped around the client’s needs - designed and visualised in full before a single wall was built.