S ince launching their own South West-based studio in 2010, husband and wife duo Gavin and Sarah Woodford, along with their team of architects, architectural technologists and interior designers, have garnered a reputation for creating buildings of exceptional quality. ‘We are homemakers,’ says Gavin, explaining the core value that underpins their practice. In other words, they do not just design buildings; they design and build beloved homes that realise the client’s vision, work in harmony with the surrounding landscape, and boast incredibly distinctive yet comfortable interiors. ‘We want to create homes that are unique to our clients,’ adds Sarah, ‘and as such we don’t have an in-house style. We aim to think of every little detail that goes towards making a home as special as it can be.’
Sarah’s approach stems from her time at what was then the Sir John Cass School of Art, Architecture and Design. ‘I studied Fine Antique Restoration and Conservation before working for Arnold Wiggins & Sons, historic framers to the Royal household and international art galleries. It was an experience that honed my attention to detail and an appreciation of historical context, particularly when working on older and listed buildings.’ Sarah then went on to complete her interior design training at the Inchbald School of Design. ‘I was invited to work with some leading interior designers on large-scale renovations, using my traditional decorative skills in a more contemporary way,’ she explains of her next steps. ‘It was during this period that I decided to combine my talents with Gavin’s to create Woodford Architecture and Interiors.’
For Gavin, who heads up Woodford’s architectural team, it was during adolescence that a genuine passion first emerged. ‘My interest in architecture began when I was 13 and I was given a small drawing board. I somewhat bizarrely cried with joy.’ Gavin grew up in the Caribbean and South East Asia, and, by the age of 15, he had already gained experience working in an architectural practice. ‘Since then, I’ve worked with some world-renowned architects and interior designers, one of them being Norman Foster of Foster and Partners.’ In his time there, Gavin saw the development of some iconic projects, including Wembley Stadium, the Gherkin, the Millennium Bridge and the British Museum in London, and the Reichstag in Berlin.
With such a wealth of collective knowledge and experience, one might assume that Gavin and Sarah would have chosen London as the base for their own practice. But, as with so many aspects of their work, they considered the bigger picture. ‘We would spend our summer weekends escaping from London to the beaches of Cornwall and Devon, where we would camp and live a simpler life,’ Gavin remembers. ‘We just felt that the surrounds of Cornwall, Dorset and Devon were some of the most special places we had the fortune to visit, and so it seemed completely logical to make this special part of the world our home.’
Today, more than 10 years after its launch, the practice is thriving – and at the root of its success is the Woodford ethos: a shared desire to create homes that are precisely tailored to each individual client’s needs. This starts by listening carefully to a project’s requirements. During these initial conversations, Gavin and Sarah become a sounding board for the client to explore and identify the essence of the brief. ‘We love to see and hear our clients’ ideas,’ says Gavin, who firmly believes that open and engaging conversations early on are the key to success. It’s all about ‘sounding out those hidden gems’.
Functionality is, of course, paramount in any home, but character is just as important to Gavin and Sarah. Collaboration is also key. ‘We work together with our talented and enthusiastic team, discussing the master plan and getting a feel for a project, before exploring each room and space and how they ultimately link up to create a holistic home that is eminently practical and beautiful.’ This is how Gavin describes their well-established process, which ensures a seamless interaction between architecture and interior design. The Woodford approach is one that relishes the details; it is responsive and focused on the client, who is then guided through the process and involved as much as they wish throughout to ensure the end result not only meets but exceeds their expectations.
Recently, the Woodford team was awarded ‘Best Residential Property in the UK’ at the 2020/21 International Property Awards for a project within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the Cornish coast. Replacing a dilapidated farmhouse, this house is moulded into a south-facing wildflower meadow, fully embracing its countryside setting and reinvigorating the site and surrounding landscape. On a technical level, the building incorporates ground-source heating, boreholes, solar panels, heat recovery and control systems, plus high levels of thermal insulation to minimise energy use and, ultimately, provide a highly sustainable home. The design, Gavin explains, responds sensitively to the site, utilising natural materials including local slate and Shou Sugi Ban timber. Inside, the interior spaces are flexible and functional yet timeless in style. ‘Dramatic and sometimes playful volumes are counterbalanced with the careful use of materials, lighting and subtle features for storage and decoration,’ explains Sarah, ‘with vast sliding doors seamlessly connecting the inside and out.’
Nearby, another project is nearing completion – a newbuild overlooking the Helford River. Based around four linear blocks that house the core functions of the home, the design is all about the element of surprise, with a bridge link connecting to the main entrance at first-floor level and a dramatic entrance hall with vaulted ceiling. Outside, sub-tropical landscaped gardens slope down to the water’s edge, connecting the new house to the sailing waters of the Helford between Flushing and Falmouth, creating a corner of coastal paradise for the clients.
There are plenty of other projects in the pipeline, too, as Gavin and Sarah continue to develop plans for new homes, as well as restoration and refurbishment projects across Cornwall and Devon, in sought-after areas such as Mousehole, Helford Passage, Rock and Salcombe. ‘We are extremely grateful and feel very lucky that our practice and our work attracts diverse clients who share our enthusiasm for design,’ finishes Gavin. ‘This has – and is – giving us the opportunity to continue creating more outstanding work and really push the boundaries within our field.’
Discover how to seamlessly balance architecture and interiors at www.woodfordarchitecture.com
