Sophisticated Orangery with Three Roof Lanterns

A bespoke timber orangery has added an exceptional amount of light and space to this glorious country residence, creating a new part of the home for family and friends to dine and relax in.  

Having recently completed a new kitchen and seating area project, the owners of this grand country home were keen to add more space by installing a spectacular extension to the back of their property. When they first came to us, they made it clear that socialising was high on their agenda. They wanted a design that was grand, beautifully crafted, and multifunctional – an open space that would truly resonate with their sense of style. Also wishing to redesign their surrounding landscape with new steps and a formal planting scheme, they were excited to see how a glazed extension would allow them to enjoy views of their new garden, with a glimpse of the wilder woodland areas beyond.

The orangery extension needed to accommodate for larger social gatherings, but the room also had to be suitable for the daily comings and goings of the client’s busy lifestyle. The new kitchen was our starting point, as the orangery would lead off from this part of the house. The layout of the room needed to be smart and allow larger groups of people to flow between the main rooms seamlessly. We also set a new internal door between the house and the orangery, so the family could close off the space if needed.

Understanding the family’s need to put their mark on the house, we assessed the lines and proportions of the main house to design a spectacular bespoke orangery that blends in with the existing architecture. The family can now enjoy a light and bright room as a result of the ingenious triple roof lantern design. The three roof lanterns give the property’s architecture just the right amount of spectacle without being too overbearing, balanced by symmetric lines and appropriate proportions in relation to the rest of the house. To help define different zones in the open-plan space, we included two pyramid lanterns on either side, with one large central lantern to form the main focal point. Solid resin ball finials help to protect the kingpins from weathering while giving the roof lanterns a decorative finish.

Solar reflective glazing helps to reflect the solar heat off the roof lantern, decreasing glare and heat build-up in the room while maintaining a high light transmission. We fitted automatic, thermostatic air vents to the new extension and existing kitchen, to help keep the room feeling well ventilated and airy. These handy vents open automatically when the room becomes too warm, drawing the hot air up to create airflow. They close as the room cools, or when rain is detected, so the family never have to worry about shutting them when the weather turns.

Addressing the client’s desire to open their house up to the garden, we’ve drawn the eye to the outside with lavish sets of elegant French doors, meticulously crafted with clean lines and classic timber detailing. These lines are seen throughout the orangery, roof lantern rafters, the window frames, and the French door panels. By using the correct materials, we can build beautiful timber structures that have all the charm and detailing of classic wooden joinery, but with an exceptionally long lifespan and minimal maintenance requirements. We always use Accoya® – a ground-breaking product made from fast-growing, sustainable FSC® or PEFC™ Radiata pine. Accoya® is particularly stable, meaning it will not shrink or swell in the way that standard timber tends to do. We applied three coats of Teknos, a water-based microporous paint, to the joinery – resulting in an exceptionally smooth and flawless finish that protects the surface against sunlight, cracking, weather exposure and damage. The Accoya® and the paintwork together ensure the orangery will maintain its elegant finish for 50 years or more.

In a period home like this, it was essential to adhere to planning requirements from the very beginning of the design process, to obtain the relevant permissions. We used our knowledge and expertise to take over the planning application process on behalf of our clients, so they didn’t have to worry about a thing.

Now finished, the elegant orangery helps the house to look and feel markedly different. The quality shines through in the details; the rendered walls painted in New Salt Stone to match the main house, the parapet fascia design, the satin nickel ironmongery, and the low-level window cills that allow for broader garden views.

To finish the project, we also brought a new look to the whole property, with sunlight flooding in through new replacement timber windows by our sister company, Westbury Windows and Joinery, painted in the same colour to match.