Feilden+Mawson were commissioned to create a scheme for a site located within the RAF Bicester Conservation Area. MOD Caversfield is set in a unique conservation area, containing seventeen listed structures and a number of other notable historic buildings and is considered to be one of the best preserved RAF air bases in the country. There are 12 individual Grade II listings on the site, recognising the distinctive military use and character of the structures. These include barracks, mess buildings and stores.

Feilden+Mawson achieved planning and listed building consent for 191 units, offering a selection of 1, 2, 3 & 4 bedroom apartments and houses set within 23 acres of parkland with extensive landscaping and mature trees. The listed buildings have been sensitively adapted to residential use and despite the Local Planning Authority’s brief precluding any new build the quality of design has resulted in planning permission for 36 new build homes, which are contemporary and complement the existing structures.

The success of the new buildings stems from how the master plan and design details respect the site’s historic configuration and functional simplicity of the historic military buildings. As a consequence, the new development sits comfortably within their setting and compliment the revived listed buildings.