Set within the Henley-on-Thames Conservation Area, Baywing House was conceived as much more than a simple rear extension. Our brief was to deliver an addition that would be rich in materiality, filled with natural light, and functionally seamless—an elegant architectural response that both complements and elevates the existing villa.
The result a refined, sculptural form—its shimmering aluminium roof, subtly reminiscent of an airplane wing, gently slopes towards the garden, providing shelter and shade via a generous overhang. Rooflights are positioned tight to the original structure, drawing daylight deep into the heart of the plan.
Internally, the new spaces unfold across the rear of the house in a sequence designed for modern living: cooking, dining, and relaxation areas flow effortlessly together. Bespoke full-height joinery conceals a luxurious contemporary kitchen—with all storage and appliances discreetly hidden behind seamless fronts—and also includes a secret passage through to a refurbished snug and children’s playroom.
The wing rests on a polished concrete bay oriented to catch the evening light. Deep window seats flank sliding-folding doors, which open wide to dissolve the boundary between inside and out. For the concrete, a bespoke mix was developed using White Dolomite aggregate, carefully paired with white handmade Danish bricks to create a coherent material language inside and out.
A new first-floor bay above increases light and space in the master bedroom, helping to rebalance the rear elevation without requiring substantial alterations to the existing upper floors.
At the heart of the new dining area, a sculpted oak window seat and slatted ceiling with concealed lighting frame a striking cloud chandelier. The centrepiece: a bespoke, pebble-shaped dining table designed for both intimacy and occasion—narrow enough at one end for dinners à deux, broad enough at the other to host twelve. All joinery, including the table, was exquisitely crafted in collaboration with Joe Mellows Furniture.
The kitchen is arranged around the clients’ cherished reconditioned Aga, now reimagined within a sleek, contemporary setting. Every element was tailored to achieve the clients’ wish for thoughtful organisation: full-height cupboards with pocket doors hide a coffee station, larder, fridge-freezer, and even a mirrored bar. Folding screens match the joinery, allowing the snug to be either revealed or discreetly tucked away.
Baywing House is a celebration of careful craftsmanship, contextual sensitivity, and considered design—a quietly transformative addition that brings balance, light, and enduring elegance to a much-loved family home.
“The project has exceeded my original expectations: the materials, design detail and practicality of the space are extremely pleasing.
We love the bay window, the larder cupboard, the aluminium roof, the bricks, the master bedroom bay window light and view…I could go on. The relationship between the new extension and the existing house is great.
Living in the new spaces has been a very positive experience. We love the big open space, the comfort of the snug, the versatility of the dining area, the bay window seats (indoor and outside), and the practicality of the kitchen without any compromise to maintaining a very clean design aesthetic.
We entertain a lot more and it is more inclusive and easier to do so with the large kitchen-diner space. The project has also changed how we enjoy the garden and outdoor spaces – it’s exactly what we wanted in the original brief: a seamless transition between inside and out.
My experience of working with Fred and his team was very good. I felt informed and supported throughout the design and construction stages, from inception to completion. Decisions, changes, and challenges were handled well, and we didn’t have many changes on site because everything was set in detail up front, which is definitely the way to go.
Budget and cost control was clear, and the tender process was well-managed. I am very happy with the balance between design ambition, quality, and cost. The overall collaboration between Architect, consultants, and the contractor was very good, and ultimately everything was handled well during construction. Overall, the very clear process and attention to detail worked especially well.
As a new client on a first-time project, at the outset it was difficult to know just how much was going to be provided as part of the service. I was probably a little sceptical of the value proposition in some areas at the beginning, but I also greatly underestimated the value that was ultimately provided in other areas.
My advice to future clients embarking on a similar project would be to hire Guttfield Architecture! Outside of buying a new home or plot, an extension or new-build project will be by far one of the largest expenditures for private individuals in their lifetime. It is daunting and the natural inclination is to minimise all costs from the outset or DIY what you can, but that is a false economy.
I was fortunate to have the benefit of friends’ and family’s experience (with both approaches), so I was confident that having an architect project manager who is fully vested and aligned to seeing through the whole process from start to finish is essential to avoiding potentially expensive traps.
Ultimately any complex or large construction project requires experience, a meticulous attention to detail and a consistent vision throughout the process – it is impossible to do that yourself (even if you have the time, most don’t have the experience to know what you don’t know) – and Fred is absolutely a detail guy. He is someone you can be confident applies the same standards to your project as he would to his own.”
Baywing House Clients, April 2026