Located in the historic rural context of an old farmstead and the natural landscape around Bruton, this project involved the sensitive transformation of a traditional Somerset farmstead into a bespoke artist’s studio for a highly accomplished artist and former Royal Academy President.

SPASE’s intervention respected and preserved the barn’s original vernacular, stone façade, and heritage while delivering a light-filled, high-performance creative art studio and workspace, a perfect example of our skill in combining conservation, modern design, and tailored fit-out. High levels of insulation and solar control was introduced to work with the stone thermal mass to deliver a building of comfort throughout the year.

The project at Manor Farmhouse combined architecture and maintenance surveying to repair water ingress. The slate and lead roofs were replaced in Capital grade Welsh Slate and insulation added.

The former conservatory was replaced with a new larger glasshouse constructed to allow expansive views across the grounds and lakes, whilst bringing plentiful natural light to the kitchen. The glazing on the roof was from the Patent Glazing Company. The existing floors in the kitchen and glasshouse were relayed in Limecrete with underfloor heating.

Considered ‘the oldest house in southern England’, Barnston Manor is a Grade I listed medieval building that required intricate planning applications and thorough knowledge of heritage specifications. We created a sensitive design, sought to maintain the existing character and charm for our private client at this extraordinary property.

Providing a full-service package, including architectural design, planning permission guidance, and extensive heritage conservation skills, this untouched Dorset manorial farm was given thoughtful designs to maintain the character and charm of the time-warp property nestled in the valley of the Purbecks.

A slice of history in the heart of Somerset, the Threshing project entailed extensive expansion work – modelled on the historic plan – to enhance a Grade II listed threshing barn with luxury living quarters.

Obtaining Listed Building Consent and significant change of use for our developer client, our design team provided a service which proposed separate bedroom suites, an inner courtyard garden, and an open barn reception space complemented by historic roof timbers.

A wonderful project in the middle of Piddle Valley and the Dorset AONB, Bookham Farm – a former wildlife hide building – had a tricky planning permission to overcome in order to transform it into a holiday let. With a contemporary extension desired to make the most of the country views across the Blackmore Vale, we obtained successful permission for our forward-thinking designs, which included installing renewable technology and electric car charging points.

Careful consideration was needed to ensure minimal impact was made to the designated AONB surroundings.

A glorious Grade II listed grain barn in rural Somerset, we provided a successful design service for our developer client to obtain significant change of use for this listed building.

The finished design offered a three-storey building – with a complementary, cart barn conversion to be used as a modern open plan kitchen and dining space – the requirements (and charm) it needed to be approved.

Situated in an isolated rural location in the heart of Dorset’s AONB, the work we carried out at Melcombe Park Farm was heralded as ‘one-of-a-kind’ by the planning officer overseeing our meticulous designs for this complicated site – which, suffice to say, sailed through planning permission.

Using sustainability, low-carbon timber frames, and sedum roofs for biodiversity and rainwater runoff – along with ground source heat pumps – this project showcased our team’s keen interest and skill in eco-conscious builds.

Before our instruction, Langston Farm in Blandford had previously failed on permission for the former owner, over several decades. We successfully undertook the design for Class Q permitted development, transforming a dilapidated 1950’s milking parlour into an attractive residential home.

Providing photographic CGIs to help our client market the home to purchase, this was another great example of our full-service offer – from commission to new owner handover.

Working within and early 20th century farmstead, without any dwelling, and in the open countryside, Duntish Mill in West Dorset was a game of two halves. Initial planning was permitted for the brief of the site, and then resubmitted during works to double the size of the house.

A project for a young family, we undertook a full-service offer on this site, working hard to obtain permission for a dwelling house and three holiday lets, along with implementing a biomass boiler system for renewable district heating, and solar PV for electricity.

A masterclass in welcoming outstanding country views into a home, Rodford Barn in North Dorset offers ‘broken’ plan living, with a central axis and large areas of glazing.

Obtaining Class Q permitted development for our client with highly technical designs required to be successful in an open countryside area, we provided full-service, design, permissions, and management for this site.