Charlie Luxton and VELUX rethink the rural retrofit at Lamorna House in the Cotswolds.

In the heart of the Cotswolds, a remarkable architectural project proves that sustainability and stunning design can go hand in hand. Lamorna House, brought to life by Charlie Luxton Design and featuring intelligent VELUX daylight solutions, stands as a beacon of eco-conscious renovation – a compelling case for ‘retaining and reusing’ over starting from scratch.

While many homes built during the mid-20th-century expansion of British villages are being torn down in favour of new builds, this project takes a more considered approach. When new owners acquired a plot in Oxfordshire with a dated single-storey house, the obvious choice seemed to be demolition. But architect Charlie Luxton, known widely from his television appearances and hands-on building ethos, saw an opportunity to do something different – something greener.

Reimagining existing foundations
Rather than demolish and rebuild, Luxton persuaded the owners to retain the existing foundations and structural skeleton of the original home. This strategy significantly reduced the carbon footprint of the renovation, avoided unnecessary waste, and laid the groundwork for a more sustainable future.

The result is a home that is both deeply rooted in its site and remarkably transformed. By adding a new floor, insulating the existing structure with eco-friendly materials, and cladding it in locally-sourced stone, Luxton maintained the integrity of the original layout while dramatically improving its performance and aesthetics.

Designing for comfort, naturally
One of the standout features of Lamorna House is its strategic use of natural ventilation and daylight –areas where VELUX daylight solutions played a critical role. With generous roof windows and clever placement of openings, the home is able to take full advantage of cross-ventilation, minimising the need for mechanical cooling systems.

“We did a window above the kitchen, high in the roof, through which the high-level heat leaves the house,” explains Luxton. “The pergola on the south is the place to sit on hot summer days. It’s all about letting the building breathe.”

Key to this strategy is the use of VELUX triple-glazed electric solutions. Fully automated, these windows help manage the indoor climate by responding to changes in temperature and humidity. “I’m all for intelligent support,” says Luxton. “It doesn’t mean disconnecting from nature, it’s about enhancing comfort and reducing energy consumption without sacrificing the joy of opening a window to hear birdsong.”

Light as a design tool
Light is not merely functional in Lamorna House, it’s part of the architecture. Luxton views the design process as a form of “painting with light,” using VELUX roof windows to create contrast and depth. This is evident in the way sunlight filters down staircases, across vaulted ceilings, and into spaces that would otherwise remain in shadow.

“Light is the key, whether you design from scratch or convert a building,” he notes. “Good, natural light indoors can both enhance or ruin a room. VELUX roof windows add a lot of possibilities to the play of contrasts; before them, the centre of a house was often plain dark and uninviting.”

Thanks to VELUX roof windows, even the smaller rooms on the first floor feel bright and open. Natural light pours into the walk-in closet and ensuite bathrooms, helping to balance darker colour palettes with warmth and clarity.

Intelligent sustainability
The philosophy behind Lamorna House is refreshingly simple: build what you need, keep what you can, and design with the planet – and the people who will live there – in mind. Every decision, from insulation to light management, reflects a deliberate move toward low-carbon, low-waste living.

A future phase of the project will see even greater enhancements, including the replacement of the gas boiler with a ground source heat pump and the renovation of the garage into a functional living space. These updates will continue to build on the home’s strong environmental credentials.

Lamorna House is not just a home, it’s a lesson in how we can do more with less. By choosing to work with the existing structure rather than replace it, and by thoughtfully integrating natural light and ventilation, this project proves that sustainability can be elegant, efficient, and deeply human.

At VELUX, we’re proud to play a part in projects like Lamorna House, where our products help bring natural light, fresh air, and smarter energy use into everyday living. As more homeowners and architects turn toward sustainable renovation, we believe that retaining and reusing can be just as inspiring as building new – and often far more impactful.

Contact Details
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