Unlocking Potential in a Sensitive Conservation Area

Courtyard House is a discreet, contemporary home set deep within a sensitive local conservation area.

After 13 years of unsuccessful planning attempts by previous proposals, Cowper Griffith were brought on to rethink the site's potential. Given the strict visual requirements and delicate context of the surrounding landscape, maintaining minimal visibility was paramount.

Our solution was sinking the building into the topography to form a private, sheltered courtyard. This lowered profile ensures the home remains concealed from surrounding viewpoints while creating light-filled, intimate living spaces below ground level.

The design features clean modern lines and contemporary detailing, grounded by a rich palette of light brickwork and warm timber cladding that directly echoes the historic materials found throughout the conservation area.

We worked in close collaboration with the team at Arnold & Willis Construction to deliver the project to the highest standards of quality and craft.

Photograph by P.B Videography

Spa and Accommodation Approval In East Cambridgeshire

CGA has recently secured consent to convert a dilapidated and redundant range of barns and outbuildings in East Cambridgeshire.

Proposals will create a flexible spa and accommodation destination, working alongside the adjoining pub and supporting the local, rural economy.

The design takes its cues from the lovely structures already on site, re-establishing an intimate courtyard of narrow, steeply-roofed forms, clad in natural materials. Existing fabric is retained and conserved. New buildings are modest, and respectful of heritage setting and ecology.

The yard’s unique ‘spirit of place’ is preserved, helping reinforce local character.

Planning Permission Granted

We are thrilled to share that planning permission has been successfully secured for the transformation of an agricultural yard into a development of three unique dwellings.

The site carried substantial planning complexities. Previously deemed undevelopable by local policy due to highways considerations and its sensitive context alongside a Grade II listed farmhouse and Conservation Area, a highly considered strategy was required to unlock its potential.

Through close dialogue with the local authority, our scheme successfully demonstrates how sensitive architecture can enhance protected rural settings. The masterplan involves the careful conversion and extension of three existing farm structures alongside the creation of one new dwelling, which replaces an Atcost agricultural barn.

The design utilizes a tactile material palette—including dark timber boarding, red brick, and clay pantiles—that honours the traditional agricultural courtyard typology while creating high-quality, modern living spaces. We look forward to sharing further updates as the project progresses toward construction.

Feature In KL Magazine

We are thrilled to share that our practice has been featured in a multi-page spread in the latest issue of KL Magazine.

The article explores the breadth and diversity of our architectural work across Norfolk, focusing on our design process, our dedication to regional craftsmanship, and our belief in creating enduring, contextual design.

From bespoke residential projects to sensitive heritage alterations, the piece provides an in-depth look into how we approach each brief with tailored detail and precision.

We are immensely proud to be highlighted alongside so many fantastic local businesses and creators. Thank you to KL Magazine for showcasing our work and philosophy.

Light & Sound at St Phillip Howard

Architecture is as much about atmosphere as it is about form. We’ve recently completed the dramatic alteration and extension of a 1970’s church in central Cambridge, where the interplay between acoustic performance and natural illumination became a central design narrative.

To create a tranquil, contemplative environment for worship, high-level roof light were introduced along each nave wall drawing natural light deep into the building. Linear timber acoustic baffles below the glazing serve a dual function: dampening reverberation for acoustic clarity during services while capturing sunlight into rhythmic patterns of light and shadow.

The result is a dynamic interior that responds subtly to the passing hours and seasons, grounding the spiritual nature of the space in warmth and natural materiality.

The church's capacity has increased from 230 to 400, responding to the remarkable growth of the parish, which now serves around 850 members from more than 40 nationalities.

photography: Peter Cook
Contractor: Godfrey & Hicks

Concept Designs For A Replacement Dwelling In Suffolk

We’ve been busy developing early conceptual images for a replacement dwelling located on a significant hill site in the Suffolk countryside. The site’s dramatic slope presented both an architectural challenge and a beautiful design opportunity.

Our vision for this project centered on three key priorities: respecting the rural setting, reinterpreting the local Suffolk vernacular in a modern way, and maximizing natural light throughout the day.

The resulting design is an L-shaped plan that wraps a central, protected contemporary courtyard, anchoring the building directly into the hillside and minimizing visual impact. By carefully orienting the structure, we’ve created spaces that ‘follow the sun,’ capturing different light qualities from morning till dusk.

We look forward to developing this concept further.

A Replacement Arts & Crafts Style Dwelling In Hertfordshire

CGA has recently completed this substantial replacement dwelling in Hertfordshire on a fabulous hilltop site, tucked away down a private lane.

It is considerably larger than its predecessor, which had been extended a number of times, losing its cohesion and efficiency and lacking sympathy for context.  

Through a careful Pre App process, CGA secured full consent at the first attempt, with minimal conditions.

This forever home provides a flexible base for an extended family, accommodating large numbers of children and grandchildren whilst still feeling homely and intimate for two.

The design respects the defining qualities of the Conservation Area without resorting to a straightforward replication of a 19th century design. It relies on a steeply pitched and dominant roof, combined with tall stacks, meticulously detailed brickwork in a bespoke, handmade mix, bronze windows and key features clad in fine-jointed stonework. There is a playful asymmetry reminiscent of the Arts & Crafts style.

Calverley Old Hall Successful at Civic Trust Awards Evening

We're excited to share that our Calverley Old Hall project for the Landmark Trust has recently received recognition, winning 3 Civic Trust Awards at the 2026 awards ceremony.

The awards include The Civic Trust Award, The Selwyn Goldsmith Awards for Universal Design, and the AABC Conservation Award. Judges noted that the project "stands as a powerful reminder of how heritage, when properly cared for, can enrich the cultural life of the wider community and endure as a shared asset for generations to come."

The awards highlight the significant contributions made by the entire project team, who have collectively brought this building back to life.

Client: The Landmark Trust

Structural Engineer: The Morton Partnership

Archaeologist: FAS Heritage

Services Engineer: Bob Costello Associates

Quantity Surveyor: BWA (Europe) Ltd

Access Consultant: Phil Chambers Consultancy

Main Contractor: Dobson Construction Ltd

Photograph by Rifkin & Livesey

Calverley Old Hall a regional finalist for 3 Civic Trust Awards

We're pleased to announce that our Calverley Old Hall project for The Landmark Trust has been nominated as a regional finalist for 3 awards as a part of the 2026 Civic Trust Awards

photograph by Peter Cook

We're very pleased to announce that our Burnham Rise Project was presented with the Best New-Build Award at last weeks Norfolk Design & Craftsmanship Awards. A fantastic achievement for all that were involved in delivering this project and recognition of the care and consideration required to deliver high quality architecture.