Sherborne House, a magnificent Grade I listed Georgian mansion in North Dorset, has been meticulously restored and transformed into a vibrant, versatile arts centre. Acting as lead architects, our team directed the project from planning permission through to detailed design and full project management.

Due to its Medieval wing and significant artwork by Sir James Thornhill, the restoration demanded the highest level of conservation and heritage expertise. The overall project carefully balances the preservation of the past with a forward-looking cultural vision, employing local, traditional and sustainable materials throughout.

The success of this complex scheme relied on close collaboration and the coordination of numerous professionals, institutions and specialist trades and it has since been shortlisted for multiple national awards, including the AJ Retrofit & Reuse Awards 2025, Georgian Group Awards 2024, Wood Awards 2024 and Structural Timber Awards 2024.

This project involved the sensitive transformation of a traditional Somerset farmstead into a bespoke artist’s studio for a highly accomplished artist and former President of the Royal Academy. Set within the rural landscape around Bruton, the design respects and preserves the barn’s original vernacular and stone façade, while delivering a light-filled, high-performance creative studio and workspace.

High levels of insulation and solar control work in harmony with the stone’s thermal mass to provide year-round comfort. The resulting project is a clear example of our ability to combine conservation, contemporary design and a carefully tailored fit-out into a single, coherent scheme.