A Contemporary Rural Home That Emerges From The Limestone Cotswold Hills

Oolite House is a generous family home nestled sensitively into a sloping site in the Cotswold Hills National Landscape. Studio Bark designed the home for a young family relocating from London to the countryside, taking its name and inspiration from the distinctive Oolitic limestone that surrounds it.

The topography of the site shapes its form and massing, cutting gently into the hillside to create a deep rooting to the land. Natural materials including limestone and Douglas Fir timber connect the house further with its natural surroundings, while views are carefully considered for both the inhabitant and their neighbours.

Sloping form of Oolite House in the Cotswolds by Studio Bark — Image by Studio Bark

Taking Inspiration From The Hills

The story of Oolite House begins in the Jurassic period, when Oolitic limestone was formed in a shallow sea. Over time, this golden stone was lifted and shaped by natural forces, with springs emerging where it meets bands of clay. Together, these processes created the valleys and escarpments that give the Cotswolds their distinctive landscape today.

This geological history was central to our design approach, creating a home that would respect the ancient formation of the site, while enhancing the landscape for future generations.

Architectural visualisation of a house with stone and timber cladding

A Quiet Presence In The Landscape

From the village, the house appears modest and understated, with single-storey forms in natural timber and limestone peeking above the dry stone wall and surrounding greenery. A sheltered path along the top of the site guides visitors down to the partially subterranean entrance, offering a sequence that allows the house to reveal itself gradually while framing rural views towards the listed Lyday Cottage and the village beyond.

Oolite House by Studio Bark peeping over dry stone wall — Image by Studio Bark

The Layered Form

As the land falls away to the south, the full three-storey structure of Oolite House is gradually revealed. A stone stair guides visitors down to the main entrance, immediately opening panoramic views between the eastern and western wings. Two interlocking volumes, clad in Cotswold stone and locally sourced ash, frame a sunken Central Terrace, which forms the heart of the home. The layered formation of the home allows key living spaces to open directly onto the terraces, connecting interior and exterior at every level.

The intermediate level houses the family’s bedrooms, with a bespoke staircase by carpenter Tim Gaudin leading down to the main living spaces. To the east, the open-plan kitchen and dining area features a full-height sloping ceiling that echoes the contours of the site, while the living room in the western wing maintains direct visual links to the terrace. Supporting spaces, including a TV room, pantry, and plant room, are tucked into the deepest parts of the plan, making considered use of the natural topography.

Internal render of Oolite House through the living room and into the stepped garden

Soft, Natural Interiors

Inside, the interiors by YAM Studios create a calm, tactile, and timeless atmosphere. Natural clay plaster and bespoke joinery imbue warmth and texture, while a neutral palette gives a contemporary feel. Generous glazing draws daylight deep into the plan, framing views to the garden, the surrounding trees, and village rooftops, while carefully maintaining privacy. The result is an interior that feels both connected to its landscape and perfectly tailored to family life.

Bespoke timber staircase at Oolite House by Studio Bark with Tim Gaudin — Image by Studio Bark

A Home That Belongs To Its Landscape

While a distinctively contemporary home, Oolite House belongs to its landscape, shaped by ancient geology, and leaving a lasting legacy for future generations. For the family, it offers the connection to nature and place they aspired to on leaving the city, while retaining comfort and carefully thought-through design to support everyday family life.