Cotswold Equestrian Estate
- Clients:
Cotswold Equestrian Estate
COTSWOLD
EQUESTRIAN
ESTATE
THE LATEST ADAPTATION OF A TIMELESSLY CHARMING VERNACULAR
The Cotswold Equestrian Compound is the latest rendition of the North American Cotswold vernacular by Jesse Sahlani, taking the form of a sprawling private residence that features a functional boarding and training facility on the grounds. This project touched on a variety of interests for Jesse, including his love of horses, the opportunity to blend life and hobbies in a seamless yet functional way, and the chance to create a body of work offering an immersive environment set among expansive, lush gardens.
Upon arrival, guests are greeted with a winding, tree-lined driveway that creates an experiential environment, immersing them in the sprawling grounds from the onset of their visit. This feature speaks to the intention felt throughout the property, with winding pathways leading to several architecturally significant structures. Even the service access roads are lined with the same lush greenery. From a planning perspective, it offers the same level of curation as your favourite boutique hotel, though, in true equestrian style, white horse fencing surrounds almost every area including the lawns (to keep baby goats contained for lawn maintenance), arenas, chicken coops, motor courts, and walkways.
SPRAWLING PROPORTIONS THAT
CREATE ARCHITECTURAL INTEREST
The compartmentalized, rambling proportions of this home are a prominent feature of the environment you experience when you enter the structure as well as throughout the grounds, with each roofline interrupted by a gable end that creates architectural depth. This “rambling wing” concept allowed Jesse to create a sprawling footprint that forms courtyards to increase seclusion, offers views of different architecturally significant wings when in the interior of others, and uses symmetry to bring landscape elements in while harnessing natural light. This continues to be the biggest benefit of the North American Cotswold vernacular: the freedom and flexibility to create a footprint form that supports every intended use case without losing its charm.
A GARAGE WING &
MOTORCOURT THAT INVITES
GUESTS IN
In typical Jesse Sahlani fashion, the garage is designed as a separate wing with a porte-cochère connecting it to the main home. This creates a drive-through wing, as well as a motor court featuring guest parking between curated gardens. As the first area guests interact with, it offers an immediate taste of the surroundings, architectural intention, and noble materials used throughout the build. It’s also a highly inviting area that prompts curiosity to continue exploring the sprawling structure, winding driveways, and walking paths. Jesse specifically designed this feature to support our clients’ car collecting hobby. And since we are in this early, 3D phase of the design execution process in advance of construction, we decided to have fun with the cars that Jesse thought should characterize the surroundings. This included a Ferrari Testarossa, a restored Ford Bronco, and a 2-door Land Rover Defender.
A FUNCTIONAL EQUESTRIAN
TRAINING & BOARDING
FACILITY SET AMONG THE
GARDENS
The trainers’ quarters, stables, loading zones, grooming stations, and service roads are similarly lined with fencing and layered with structured hedges that define each space, create seclusion between the main home and stables, and frame specific viewpoints Jesse wants guests to experience. His intention was for every nook and corner to be as good a spot as any to enjoy the surrounding nature. The observation nooks lining the arenas speak to this. The approach Jesse took here was largely to avoid any utilitarian characteristics that often come through in both ranches and personal hobby farms, adhering to his “micro-resort” level of intention.
STYLISTIC COHESIVITY
DESPITE UTILITARIAN
FUNCTION
The intention on the part of Jesse when approaching this structure was to make it highly functional without it feeling utilitarian within the context of its use case as stables. This applied to both the exterior and interior design plans, while offering each horse a similar standard of design intention, including 16 x 16 and 20 x 20 stalls throughout.
You will notice that the exact same level of stylistic cohesivity is found in the courtyards of these structures, with sprawling footprints creating a series of courtyards, structured hedges surrounding them and all entrances leading to them, and the use of noble materials. All of the gates are custom designed to offer a traditional aesthetic within the space, while chandeliers and spot lights illuminate the exposed timber structure on the interior.
Traditional Tudor Manor
Sat: 8:00am - 3:00pm
Sun: Closed
