Gresford Architects wraps Oxfordshire bungalow in site-harvested cedar

Gresford Architects has completed the Old Orchard, a low-carbon refurbishment and extension of a 1960s bungalow in Littleworth, West Oxfordshire, for the studio's principal architect Tom Gresford and his family. The project, which aligns with EnerPHIT Passivhaus retrofit standards, prioritised reusing existing materials and minimising new ones. The home is clad in western red cedar harvested from trees on the site itself, and a timber-framed extension with a powder-coated corrugated steel roof was added, informed by neighbouring agricultural buildings. Existing stud walls were removed on the ground floor to create colourful blocks inspired by Japanese kimonos, reflecting the family's time in Japan. A glazed addition replaced the original conservatory, opening onto a covered verandah. The home features external insulation, an MVHR system for cross ventilation, solar panels, and an air source heat pump, eliminating the need for additional heating. Upstairs, children's bedrooms include mezzanines and cut-outs for interaction, and a built-in slide is hidden behind a secret door. The photography is by French + Tye.