Traditional style oak framed house in stone and slate
Beaminster, West Dorset
Located on the outskirts of the popular market town of Beaminster in West Dorset, we were commissioned to design this new bespoke Oak framed house in 2017.
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Over the past 15 years the clients had been planting trees in this paddock attached to their house, adjacent to the development boundary, in readiment for the day planning could be granted for this new house. Eventually approval was given in 2019 kicking off the construction of this ambitious home, set amongst the now maturing trees.
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The skeleton of the house is a substantial oak frame, which went up first, then the layers of Sherborne stone, larch boarding, crisp composite glazing and slate roofs wrap around this, leaving the oak exposed in all the internal spaces. While the form of the house and its materials are traditional, the resulting feeling is very contemporary, due to the airy and bright open rooms. The vaulted ceilings and double height galleries allow proper appreciation of the oak and the craftsmanship laid bare.
​The new house takes references from the rural context and has a ‘barn’ like form with single storey wings out to north and south. It sits centrally on the site to be able to appreciate the lush site surrounding it from all angles. This also means the house had to be considered a true house in the round, with no behind the scenes areas, every aspect is on display and must be beautiful. Each window frames a new delightful view of the garden and landscape beyond.
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Completed in spring 2024, the house is a credit to the many skilled craftsman who have had a part to play in its making as well as the family who had the vision and determination to create this home in this lovely place.
