This new Regency home in Wiltshire combines classical elegance with local vernacular charm to create a space that is versatile, welcoming, and highly appealing.

The front of the property is characterised by a formal, stucco-fronted façade that captures the grandeur and symmetry typical of Regency architecture. In contrast, the rear part of the house adopts a more vernacular style, blending seamlessly into the surrounding landscape and offering a charming, rustic counterpoint to the formal front. This approach creates a harmonious balance between the stately presence and elegant proportions of the Regency style and the cosy, approachable feel of vernacular architecture.

Flint has been a staple of British vernacular architecture for centuries, particularly in the South of England. Whether used in traditional flint-knapped walls or as a striking feature in contemporary builds, this locally sourced, highly durable material adds character and texture.

This classical country house in Surrey demonstrates the distinctive visual appeal of flint, especially when paired with brick. The single-story flint wing creates an interesting contrast with the adjacent brickwork, enhancing the building’s character and appeal.

Set within idyllic gardens and woodland, this elegant country house in Berkshire was designed to replace a modest 1960s home.

This ‘Queen Anne’ style residence is a modern interpretation of the traditional English country house and features a grand entrance hall, high ceilings and meticulously detailed façades.

At Alex Oliver Associates, we believe that heritage assets should be maintained and sensitively adapted to ensure their future use and enjoyment.

This belief shaped our work on this Grade II listed barn, which had fallen into significant disrepair. Our team prioritised repairing and preserving the historic fabric of the building, while thoughtfully adapting the space to provide additional residential accommodation.

This Grade II* listed Georgian townhouse, situated in a historic market town, required extensive external and internal restoration.

Over the past ninety years, the building has undergone various changes of use, resulting in the loss of many historic features.

We therefore undertook a sensitive restoration, carefully repairing the building’s historic fabric, removing the inappropriate modern partitions and reintroducing the elegance befitting the building’s Georgian heritage.

Replacement dwellings can present an exciting opportunity to transform a site and design a new home that responds the character of the local area.

The site of this elegant Georgian-style farmhouse in the Test Valley was previously occupied by an unappealing 1960s/70s house. The new farmhouse has been carefully designed to reflect the local vernacular character and to sit comfortably within this picturesque conservation area. The historic wing at the front of the house has been repaired and now serves as a charming annexe.

Every design we produce is tailored to the site it is to be built on.

This stunning new country house in Hampshire is designed to make the most of its elevated position, with the kitchen featuring large glass windows which provide full, uninterrupted views to the south.

The external materials were carefully selected to harmonise the house with the surrounding landscape, which creates a sense of belonging.

This country house in Wiltshire combines classical elegance with modern functionality, resulting in a living space that honours tradition while embracing modernity. The front of the property is characterised by a formal, stucco-fronted façade that captures the grandeur and symmetry typical of Regency architecture. Well-proportioned windows and an elegant metal-lattice porch enhance the impression of refined sophistication.

Situated in the picturesque Wiltshire countryside, this traditional country house has been carefully arranged with living spaces around two sides of a South facing courtyard garden.

The positioning of the rooms is informed by the sun path, maximising natural daylight where it is required, when it is required.

For example, the sun penetrates into the ground floor bedroom in the morning, into the kitchen during most of the day and into the drawing room from mid-morning through to the evening.

This new farmhouse was designed to appear as if it had evolved over time, combining a mixture of architectural styles. From the front, the house has a formal Georgian character, with large sash windows and an elegant portico. The rear section was designed as a vernacular farmhouse, constructed from distinctive red-brick and flint banding. Similarly, the timber-clad garage was designed to emulate an agricultural outbuilding.

This project involved a comprehensive reimagining of a historic manor estate, transforming both the main house and surrounding courtyard.

The manor itself underwent significant internal reordering to better serve modern living requirements, while respecting its architectural character and historic features. These carefully planned extensions blend seamlessly with the original structure, creating a harmonious connection between old and new. 

The English country house is a symbol of timeless elegance, and we take great pride in continuing this tradition through thoughtful, well-proportioned designs.

At the centre of this arrangement is a simple double-fronted brick-built house reminiscent of an Early Georgian farmhouse.  A rendered wing, articulated in a later Regency style, breaks the formal axial symmetry of the central house. This ‘extension’, along with the timber-framed single-storey garages, adds character, variety and texture.

The site of this classical country home sits within a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Conservation Area, and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

We prioritised developing a design that would be sympathetic to the fascinating historic surroundings of which the new house would become a part.

A limited selection of local precedent studies helped to inform particular details of the design, ensuring that the new building would be firmly rooted in its locality, as well as helping to gain the support of the planning and conservation officers.

For the extension to this Grade II* Listed country house, we focused on creating a design that was complimentary to the existing building.

Drawing on traditional design principles, the new structure features timber sash windows and timber French doors.

Handmade roof tiles add character and the carefully selected mix of bricks match those of the house.

As a result, this new addition blends seamlessly with the original house.

Our task was to transform this Grade II Listed barn into additional residential accommodation comprising a family room, playroom, cloakroom, and a self-contained guest annexe.

We prioritised preserving the historic character and integrity of the barn, sympathetically adapting the space for modern living.

Key historic features were left exposed, including the structural timber frame, trusses, plates, studs, and diagonal tiles.

The existing windows were replaced with bespoke timber windows designed to complement the original character of the barn.

For this project in Marlborough, we transformed a pair of Grade II Listed buildings which had previously been used as a car dealership.

We treated the buildings as separate, and replaced the awkward 1970s single frontage with two distinct timber shopfronts.

The new shopfronts were carefully designed to be both visually appealing and more in keeping with the individual styles of these historic buildings.

This bespoke modern family home offers a thoughtful take on local vernacular, blending contemporary design with the character of its rural surroundings.

Balancing modern functionality with sensitivity to its context, the home integrates sustainable materials and energy-efficient technologies for long-term practicality.

This project represents a modern interpretation of rural living, grounded in heritage yet designed for the future.

Clay tiles have been used in British architecture for centuries, offering both durability and classic aesthetic appeal. Whether on a period home or a new-build with traditional character, handmade clay tiles bring warmth, texture, and longevity to a roofscape.

Why we love clay tiles:

• Naturally weather-resistant & long-lasting (100+ years!)

•  Rich, earthy tones that improve with age

• Sustainable—made from natural clay & fully recyclable

Lime plaster and mortar are the backbone of traditional British architecture. Unlike modern cement-based alternatives, lime-based materials are flexible and breathable, making them ideal for historic buildings and sustainable new builds alike.

Why we use lime in our projects:

•  Allows buildings to ‘breathe’—preventing damp issues

•  More sustainable than cement-based products

• Provides a softer, more authentic aesthetic