Walled Garden

Shaftesbury, Dorset, UK

Philip Proctor has taken the plunge and has designed a new home for him and his partner at Parsons Pool in Shaftesbury, Dorset, UK

A town centre location affords easy access to all facilities, while the original walled garden makes an ideal setting for living in a Dorset town. Starting with the idyllic garden setting the challenge was to accommodate car parking, locate a sunny house, and evolve a plan that opened the living areas to the garden, without looking at the cars. The traditional sash window in a stone wall format follows the character of the neighbouring buildings, and provides a house with a gracious style. The plan is arranged to locate the domestic living space overlooking the south east facing garden and the entertaining areas at the south west side.

The home includes double garaging, a gravel forecourt, a water garden, a secluded garden with a loggia off the kitchen and living areas. The western drawing room opens over a koi pond on two sides allowing the sounds of the fountain and ripples of sunlight to dapple the ceiling. Stepping stones cross the pond to a circuitous path leading to the garden temple.

The period style beguiles a 21st century open living space with underfloor heating to oak flooring extending over the whole of the ground floor.

There are three en suite bedrooms on the first floor, and a further suite and theatre room in the attic. At rooftop level is a terrace with commanding views over the Blackmore Vale and in all directions.

The house has very highly insulated walls; windows include south west facing timber sash windows made locally; patio doors with self-cleaning glass and other windows made in Canada with timber construction faced with colour coated aluminium all to minimize maintenance. There are solar water heating panels, and rainwater is harvested for garden watering. The hand pump has been overhauled and is fitted over a large cistern.

The main front is of local green sandstone ashlar with thin joints. Bricks are Salisbury multi laid in Flemish garden wall bond. Roof tiles are clay plain tiles with pan tiles to the garage. The stone cutting and the carved features were by Pippa Unwin.

The building is orientated to maximize solar gains and is constructed with a large thermal mass to hold the heat. In summer the stairwell is designed to act as a chimney to provide good venitilation.

Apart from the central front elevation the only maintenance is window cleaning.

The new home is an achievement and coincides with practicing in Shaftesbury for 30 years.

To view the setting of The Walled Garden follow this link.

	Central Stair Interior Views
	Main Aspect Exterior Views