Poulton Gorse House

Status: 2012
Location: Gloucestershire

Client: Private Client
Value: Confidential

 

“justified due to its design excellence…modern architectural sculpture on a grand scale…likely to be identified in the fullness of time as a masterpiece of architecture integrated with the landscape.”Independent expert consultant, Anthony Blee

 

On a 69 hectare rural agricultural site we were asked to design a substantial (2,800m²) six bedroom country house with service flat, and separate three bedroom lodge house. It was necessary to create a design of the highest quality that was ‘truly outstanding in architecture and landscape design’ to successfully gain planning permission under PPG7.

The contemporary design reflects the tradition of the great country houses of the 18th century, with elements connected to the landscape and natural environment. A strong sculptural form was created for the main and lodge houses, articulating space, light and views, with generous proportions in every room.

The rooms were arranged following country house conventions – arriving to the north through to a triple height main hall, with living rooms, bedrooms and planted terraces to the south. The distinctive local and ecological features of the setting were respected. Cotswold stone was used for dry-stone walls, with oak windows and shutters on the houses. Landscaping includes new woodland planting, an avenue of oak trees, meadow, orchard, gardens, a ‘ha-ha’, and the reinstatement of an ancient dew pond in the grounds.

Poulton Gorse was one of the few new country houses on a greenfield site to be granted planning permission under PPG7.

 

Credits
Project Manager: Edwards Partnership
Cost Consultant: Edwards Partnership
Structural Engineers: Webb Yates Engineers
Services Engineers: JDP
Environmental Consultant: Atelier Ten
Landscape Architect: J&L Gibbons