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The Dairy House
Nr Castle Cary, Somerset
£3,400 pcm / £785 pw Introduction
Accommodation
History
Originally a cheesemakers cottage constructed in 1901, The Dairy House was transformed over the course of four years, from 2002 to 2006.
The architect in charge of the transformation was Charlotte Skene-Catling, a director of SCDLP (Skene Catling de la Peña). Perhaps best known before this project for their work with the lingerie company Agent Provocateur (for whom they have designed most of their stores), SCDLP pride themselves on “avoiding clichéd responses” to the briefs they are set.
Skene-Catling writes of her work with SCDLP: “Everything is questioned, from the initial perceived requirements to the construction methods at detail level…. The materials used enhance the sensual experience of the finished spaces.”
The use of materials at The Dairy House, from slate to marble, glass and oak, is sensual indeed, especially as the most luxurious of spaces are the bathrooms. In this aspect – a house that captivates and stimulates the senses of its inhabitants – the design was inspired by the 18th century novella La Petit Maison by Jean-Francois de Bastide. By considering with the utmost care every detail of a space, Skene-Catling aims for architecture that is “enduring rather than superficial or disposable”.
The transformation of The Dairy House started with the complete gutting of the original stone cottage. Although the original façade was retained, the interior was changed entirely. Gone were the rather cramped and small spaces typical of country cottages and instead a more contemporary open-plan space was created. Attached to the original structure was an annexe containing two bathrooms and a black bathing pool. The annexe is constructed using oak from the estate as well as glass, arranged in stripes. As Christopher Woodward pointed out in an article in Country Life, the effect of this construction is that “in the daytime, the interior is slatted by light; at night it is like a paper lantern”.
In an article for The World of Interiors, Woodward writes that the house “is designed to be experienced as a succession of surprising glimpses”, pointing out that “there is no sign of the swimming pool until you climb to the top of the stairs”. Describing it as “an architectural seduction”, Woodward was clearly enamoured with this wonderful house. He is not the only one – in the short time since its completion it has picked up numerous architectural awards.
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