We’re delighted to see work progressing on the transformation of The Bakehouse, the sensitive restoration and extension of a Grade II listed former bakehouse in the heart of the South Downs.

Groundworks are now well advanced, with the reinforced concrete retaining walls being constructed, forming the lower ground floor that allows the building to be carefully embedded into the natural hillside.

The contemporary 193m² extension has been designed to sit quietly alongside the historic Bakehouse, creating a 287m² family home that respects the character of the listed building while embracing modern living. Rather than dominating the original structure, the extension steps with the landscape, reducing its visual impact and creating a series of light-filled spaces that open onto terraces overlooking the Cuckmere Valley.

The architecture takes inspiration from the simple forms of traditional agricultural buildings found throughout the South Downs. A composition of clean, pitched roof volumes echoes the scale and rhythm of the existing Bakehouse, while a restrained contemporary palette clearly distinguishes the new from the old.

The upper level will be clad in vertical timber boarding, chosen for its natural warmth and ability to weather gracefully within the landscape. The lower ground floor is expressed as a robust Corten steel plinth, its rich patina grounding the building within the hillside and providing a striking contrast to the soft tones of the timber above. Large glazed openings frame views across the valley, while slender steel balustrades and crisp detailing reinforce the simplicity of the design.