Contemporary New Build House Added to Our Website

We’re pleased to announce that our latest contemporary new build house project has been added to the website. Built on the North Norfolk coast, the house can be seen on the rise of a hill that runs parallel with the coastline. Three steeply pitched roof gables and three tall chimney stacks present a distinctive silhouette among the beech trees.

The extensive glazing to the ‘upside down house’ layout allows stunning far-reaching views of the salt marshes and sea towards the north, and elevated views of gentle meadows and woodland to the south. Raised terraces provide outdoor seating and dining whilst enjoying these views.

Further details can be found on the website project page

Built By Grocott & Murfit

Photography by Nick Guttridge

Pavilion transformation submitted for planning

We are delighted that our designs to refurbish and extend the former University sports pavilion on the Darwin Green site in Cambridge have now been submitted for planning permission.

Our client has great aspirations for the building, which we aim to transform into a “kindercafe” – a café specially designed with children and families in mind.

The building is in a very poor way having been left empty since 2006, but we love the challenge of rescuing old buildings, especially those that are loved by the local community.

It will be a dramatic transformation to safeguard the building for future generations and a key part of that is long-term sustainability in an uncertain future. To that end, we are aspiring to meet the gold-standard of “Enerphit” energy performance (the Passivhaus standard for retrofit). This will involve substantially increasing insulation, airtightness and providing renewable on-site energy generation to minimise our future energy burden.

The proposal have been featured in local and national press

https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/vandalised-pavilion-become-caf-cambridge-30907036?int_source=nba

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce8jqljv498o

Planning Success in North Norfolk

CGA has recently secured consent to connect, convert and extend three redundant North Norfolk farm buildings, creating a four bedroom family home, preserving the character of the existing structures and introducing contrasting, contemporary additions whilst avoiding harmful impacts on the sensitive, countryside setting.

We really enjoy unlocking the potential of these sites, and we look forward to delivering the scheme with our network of local collaborators.

We are grateful for the trust of our client, for critical inputs from DWA Ecology of Kings Lynn and Canham Consulting of Norwich, and for collaborative dialogue with North Norfolk District Council Planning Department.

Calverley Old Hall featured in the Guardian

We are delighted to see our completed Calverley Old Hall project for The Landmark Trust featured in Monday’s edition of The Guardian and online. See the article here: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/jan/06/tudor-psychedelia-yorkshire-pile-calverley-britains-most-thrilling-holiday-let

Thank you to The Guardian and Oliver Wainwright for featuring our work. We really enjoyed the description of the exciting discoveries and the collaborative approach and many public workshops to achieve the result. We hope the building continues to offer excitement and intrigue to all!

 Thanks to Peter Cook and John Miller for the dramatic photos featured in the article.

Planning Permission Granted In Central Cambridge

We’re pleased to announce that we’ve recently been granted approval for substantial alterations and extensions to a house in a Central Cambridge Conservation Area.

The scheme has been designed to ensure the contemporary extension is clearly distinguishable from the existing Arts & Crafts style house whilst also appearing subservient to it, with more contemporary and simplified high quality detailing.

Thermal upgrades will significantly improve the energy performance of the property in the longterm.

Works Nearing Completion in Cambridgeshire

Works are nearing completion at our new build house project in Cambridgeshire. The new home replaces an existing house and garage which had occupied the site since the 1960’s.

Our client tasked us to develop a bespoke home of architectural and technical merit, using high quality materials, which responds to its attractive context and to their changing needs.  Low energy use both in construction and use was also a key consideration.

The house sits within a landscaped garden designed by Thomas Hoblyn Garden Design. Works are being undertaken by local contractor Godfrey and Hicks & are due to complete early in the new year.

Hill Farm Added to The Website

We’ve recently uploaded our Hill Farm project to our website as another example of our housing and materplanning capabilities.

CGA secured consent under delegated powers for this residential development, East of Cambridge, comprising barn and stable conversions and a variety of new build units.

Large and handsome barns and a courtyard range of stables were converted into six units. A large black-clad shed was replaced with two new build dwellings, designed to echo the form and colour of the existing structure. Further, modern barns which abutted the historic ranges were demolished, and replaced with two substantial detached houses, overlooking rolling countryside.

Photographs by Matthew Smith Architectural Photography

Site Progress in Welwyn

Works are well underway at Wood Farm near Welwyn. The house is influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement, featuring beautiful brick and stone detailing and a large handmade clay plain tiled roof. We’re loving the look of how the materials are going together.

The bespoke brick blend has been made specially for the project by HG Matthews, laid in traditional lime mortar. Roof tiles from William Blyth are chosen to pair perfectly with the brick and stone colours. Added to this are the beautiful bronze windows made specially by Architectural Bronze Casements.

The substantial dwelling in Welwyn was consented under delegated powers, after a process of careful design dialogue with our clients. It is substantially larger than the much adapted house which it replaces and its design plays to the Arts & Crafts character of the Digswell Conservation Area.

It’s lovely to see the project being built with such attention to detail by the contractor, Bridgeman Construction.

Calverley Old Hall Completed

We are pleased to announce that our Calverley Old Hall project for the Landmark Trust has recently been completed.

Calverley Old Hall is a Grade I listed manor house in the village of Calverley near Leeds. It was built and altered by the Calverley family between the 13th & 17th centuries.

In 2017, faced with urgent repair work, the Landmark Trust held an open design competition to find a sustainable future for the property.  Cowper Griffith were one of 75 architectural practices to enter.  Following a rigorous judging procedure involving a shortlist of 9 practices, Cowper Griffith were appointed to develop their competition scheme with the Landmark Trust.

Calverley Old Hall is now available as a 10person holiday let, with a separate community room with ancillary accommodation and a short-term tenancy. The completed project resembles closely the early competition-winning concepts. It was officially opened at the beginning of October 2024 by Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and MP for Calverley and now welcomes people of all age groups and levels of mobility.

Further details can be found on our projects pages

Works are nearing completion at our Old Rectory project in Norfolk

Works are entering their final stages at the Old Rectory. The Grade II listed building was built in the 18th century and incorporates an earlier 17th century cottage. The cottage was constructed using some reused stone from the adjacent church. Interestingly the property also served as a Land Army hostel in World War Two.

The works included a reconfiguration of the house and the infilling of a historic courtyard to create a new modern kitchen area. The adjacent annexe building has also been reconfigured to provide a home gym & car port.

The project also included a substantial overhaul of the building services and fabric to bring it in line with modern day requirements. These works included, a new insulated limecrete floor, wall insulation, heritage double glazing, electric car charging and new heating systems incorporating air source heat pumps.

The works are being undertaken by Norfolk Pro Build.