Designed for a private client, this innovative passive house is carefully positioned within the unique setting of a disused lime quarry.

The building’s form was meticulously planned to respond to the sun’s path, allowing southern light to flood the interior while the highly insulated northern façade, with minimal glazing, reduced heat loss. The curved, linear design followed the natural contours of the quarry, stepping gracefully into the landscape.

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 English country house, and features:

• Grand but welcoming entrance halls

• High ceilings & generous natural light

• Meticulously detailed façades

This country home was built using a mixture of flint, brick and stone to create character and visual appeal.

Flint, which has long been a staple of British vernacular architecture, remains a popular choice for the following reasons:

•  Naturally strong & weather-resistant—ideal for British climates

•  Low-carbon material, sourced directly from local quarries

•  Distinctive visual appeal, especially in contrast with brick & stone

Some of the most elegant homes are built from materials that stand the test of time. Natural stone brings warmth, texture, and durability to a design, and we love incorporating it into our projects.

Bath stone, sourced from a local quarry, was used to create a Doric portico for this classical country house.

Timber sash windows are a defining feature of Britain’s architectural history, from elegant Georgian townhouses to Victorian terraces.

At Alex Oliver Associates, we prioritise high-quality, handcrafted timber sashes to maintain authenticity in restoration projects and traditional-style new builds.

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

Our work at this house in the South Downs is a modern interpretation of this classic style.

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 Arts and Crafts style home demonstrates the distinctive visual appeal of flint, especially when placed in contrast with brick and stone.

This cottage in Wiltshire is in its final stages, having been transformed from a small outbuilding.

We designed the main house on this estate a few years ago and were excited to be invited back for this project.

The result is a picturesque cottage which perfectly compliments the main house, using the same combination of red brick and white accents.

This Georgian style country house was designed to have a formal character, reflecting the gentrification and rising affluence which led to the introduction of more formal and varied living accommodation to traditional farm holdings.

Widely used in Ancient Greece the idea of a portico on classical buildings has influenced many design cultures since.

The addition of a portico to this award winning house in Wiltshire adds depth and interest to what could otherwise be a ‘flat’ elevation. The signification of the entrance helps draw the eye visually and practically provides a covered place to stand while the door is opened. Simple, elegant and effective.

We’ve recently revisited a housing development we designed in Wiltshire, which included a courtyard of new build houses and a bungalow, but also two historic buildings dating back to the 1800s which were outbuildings to a long ago demolished mansion house.

These new homes are restored to the latest standards of insulation and services, but with the character of a bygone age that only an historic building can give.

It is always nice to have a project you can walk to from the office, in this case a scheme for eleven new homes to enable the restoration of a set of Grade II Listed buildings within a Conservation Area as five apartments.

After careful negotiation and working collaboratively with the Local Planning Authority, to overcome planning and conservation officers initial concerns, over a period of sixteen months, we were granted consent by the Planning Committee for a scheme which takes on board and addresses any concerns officers had, provides much needed new housing and secures the future of at risk heritage buildings.