Sometimes the quietest designs speak the loudest.

Project Overview

Nancy’s House is a concept home designed within the Dorset countryside. The proposal demonstrates how a new dwelling can sit comfortably within its rural setting while responding carefully to planning constraints. The design explores the relationship between materiality, proportion, and context to create a home that feels both contemporary and local.

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Design Approach

Two material options were developed to test how the building could respond to its surroundings. The chosen palette includes local brick, painted render, and traditional hanging tiles, each selected to match the local vernacular. Exposed eaves, black rainwater goods, and estate-style railings add detail and depth to the elevation, creating a simple yet characterful composition.

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Context and Constraints

The site required particular restraint in relation to roofline and overall massing. Careful consideration was given to the surrounding landscape and adjacent buildings to maintain a respectful visual relationship. Ecological and environmental performance formed a key part of the brief, ensuring that sustainability remains at the heart of the proposal.

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Looking Ahead

Nancy’s House reflects a broader ambition for well-crafted countryside homes across Dorset. It shows how design can be both sensitive and forward-thinking, embracing local character while meeting modern expectations. We look forward to developing this concept further in collaboration with local specialists and the planning authority.