OPTICHOMES
OPTICHOMES
Following a serious fire, Coton House required a restoration that balanced heritage sensitivity with a full modern specification. As a Grade II listed building, every intervention was weighed against what the fabric could bear — the result preserves the character that earned its listing while bringing the house fully up to contemporary living standards.
At Coton House, sustainability has been integrated through intelligent building technologies that enhance energy efficiency while providing exceptional levels of comfort for homeowners.
Each home is equipped with a smart heating system, allowing occupants to manage heating schedules and temperatures with precision. By optimising energy usage to suit individual lifestyles, the system helps improve efficiency, reduce unnecessary energy consumption and create a more comfortable living environment throughout the year.
To further enhance the specification, the homes also benefit from integrated air conditioning, providing effective climate control during warmer months while maintaining year-round comfort. Designed to complement the property's modern construction and high-quality insulation, the system contributes to an enjoyable internal environment in every season.
By combining intelligent heating controls with modern climate management, Coton House reflects Optic Homes' commitment to delivering thoughtfully designed homes that prioritise comfort, efficiency and long-term performance without compromising on quality or style.
The restoration of Coton House was one of Optic Homes' most complex and prestigious projects. Once an impressive stately home, the property had been devastated by fire and remained abandoned for approximately ten years before work commenced. Returning a building of this significance to its former grandeur required a carefully planned programme of structural stabilisation, restoration and modernisation.
Before any restoration could begin, the structure had to be stabilised to ensure it was safe for specialist contractors to access and clear the building. In addition, several large adjoining buildings were carefully demolished, creating the space required to restore the estate while protecting the integrity of the historic manor.
The project demanded exceptional attention to detail to preserve the building's heritage. A number of original architectural features had to be faithfully recreated using traditional craftsmanship, including a bespoke handmade staircase and an exact replica of the original glazed roof lantern above the main staircase. Every effort was made to ensure that replacement elements reflected the character and appearance of the original manor.
Internally, the property required extensive reconstruction. Sections of the building, including the floor structures, had deteriorated beyond repair and were completely rebuilt, allowing the home to meet modern structural standards while maintaining its historic character.
Alongside the restoration, Coton House was discreetly equipped with state-of-the-art smart home technology, seamlessly integrating contemporary lighting, heating, security and home automation systems within a heritage property. This combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern innovation created a home that honours its past while delivering the convenience and performance expected of a luxury residence.
As part of the wider restoration, Optic Homes also uncovered the manor's original entrance driveway, carefully reinstating it to restore the property's historic approach and strengthen its connection to the estate's original design.
The successful restoration of Coton House demonstrates Optic Homes' expertise in structural remediation, heritage conservation and luxury refurbishment, showcasing the ability to revive historically significant buildings while preserving their architectural legacy for future generations.
Coton House as we found it — the fire-damaged interior and derelict staircase before any restoration work began.
Wherever the original fabric of the house could be saved, it was. Where sections were beyond repair, they were rebuilt using materials chosen to match the originals — the same stone, the same timber, the same period detailing — with every design decision drawn directly from the house that stood there before. The result reads as continuous with its own history, not a modern rebuild wearing a period disguise.
Behind that historic fabric, Coton House has been quietly transformed. A comprehensive smart home system now runs lighting, heating, security and entertainment throughout the property, paired with all-new insulation and heating systems that give the house a level of comfort and efficiency it was never built with — delivered without a single visible compromise to its period character.
What began as a fire-gutted shell, abandoned for a decade, is now one of the most exceptional homes in the region — a house grand enough to do justice to its history, and comfortable enough to be lived in and loved every single day.