Bindloss Dawes has actually brought back and extended a Grade II-listed farmhouse near Bruton in Somerset, combining a carefully conserved historic structure with a striking charred-timber addition created for family life and the display screen of contemporary art.
Bindloss Dawes has finished the remediation and extension of an 18th-century Grade II-listed farmhouse near Bruton in Somerset. Commissioned by gallerist Jemma Hickman, creator of Bo Lee Gallery, the project integrates sensitive conservation with a noticeably modern addition that develops brand-new home and a considerate setting for the household’s collection of contemporary art.
When the property was gotten, the farmhouse had actually fallen into disrepair and suffered from a fragmented internal plan that used little relationship with the surrounding landscape. The quick called for the careful repair of the historical structure together with the creation of a generous living room linked to the garden. Similarly essential was the need for spaces efficient in accommodating and showing contemporary art work within a domestic environment.
Early propositions checked out contextual kinds motivated by regional building customs, incorporating pitched roofs and modern interpretations of vernacular materials. As the style developed, nevertheless, the architect pursued a more contrasting architectural reaction. Supported by the local preservation team, it adopted a method that plainly differentiates old from new, permitting each element to maintain its own identity. “Our aim was for the extension to be limited, tactile and contemporary, and to sit unapologetically alongside the farmhouse,” explains George Dawes, Director at Bindloss Dawes.
The extension is dressed in charred lumber and located along with the original farmhouse as a dark, sculptural volume. Deliberately modern in character, its restrained kind enables the historical stone and brick structure to stay the dominant existence within the website. Inside, the new spaces are defined by a basic and thoroughly thought about combination of natural materials. Oak beams, plastered walls and polished concrete floorings develop a calm backdrop for daily life and the screen of art work. Big sliding glazed doors open straight onto the garden, enhancing the connection between home and landscape and drawing daylight deep into the interior. “The interior spaces are deliberately understated, enabling light, proportion and texture to take precedence, while setting up strong visual connections to the garden and the countryside beyond,” states Dawes.
The job extends beyond the architecture itself, reflecting the customer’s desire to engage regional designers, makers and craftspeople throughout the process. Every principal contributor to the plan is based in or around nearby Bruton, creating a collaborative technique rooted in the local creative neighborhood.
Landscape designer Caroline Clayton of Viriditas reimagined the grounds with a series of unique outdoor spaces, consisting of a farmyard-inspired yard, a stone garden and a wildflower meadow. Interior colour schemes were developed with design consultancy Ette, while regional home builder Andrew Balls delivered the construction works. The bespoke kitchen was designed and made by the customer’s bro, Tommy Hickman, reinforcing the project’s emphasis on craftsmanship and personal connection.
“Bruton is abundant in imagination, and this home became a way to draw on that– an extension of the values I hold as a gallerist,” says Jemma Hickman. “Each collaborator brought something distinct, but the vision was always shared. The change has entirely altered how we live. The brand-new extension feels extremely open and linked to the garden, while the brought back farmhouse maintains all of its heat and character. We wanted a home that felt motivating but also comfy and practical for domesticity, and the team has accomplished this beautifully.”