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.

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

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

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.

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.

 At Alex Oliver Associates, we use lime in our projects for the following reasons:

• Allows buildings to ‘breathe’, preventing damp issues

• More sustainable than cement-based products

• Provides a softer, more authentic aesthetic

A timeless material for both heritage and contemporary homes.

Situated within the North Wessex Downs AONB, this replacement dwelling reinterprets the Georgian country house with a more understated, relaxed character.

Classical proportions are combined with informal, light-filled spaces to create a home that balances the charm of farmhouse living with timeless elegance.

The result is a design that brings together order, comfort and flexibility, tailored to modern country life.

This Grade II Listed barn has been thoughtfully reimagined as additional residential accommodation, comprising a family room, playroom, cloakroom, and a self-contained guest annexe.

We prioritised the preservation of the barn’s historic character and integrity, with sensitive adaptations to support modern living. Key historic features have been left exposed, including the structural timber frame, trusses, plates, studs, and diagonal tiles.

New interventions, such as bespoke timber windows, have been introduced with careful consideration, complementing the building’s character and heritage while enhancing its performance.

The English country house is a symbol of timeless elegance, and we take great pride in continuing this tradition through thoughtful, well-proportioned designs that respect historic character while meeting the needs of modern family life.

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.

This country house was built using a carefully considered combination 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 and weather-resistant—ideal for British climates

•  A low-carbon material, sourced directly from local quarries

• Distinctive visual appeal, particularly in contrast with brick and stone

Classical architecture, for us, is not merely a style but a philosophy that embraces the values of balance, proportion, harmony, and order.

This new Georgian country house, situated within the North Wessex Downs AONB, reflects these principles, resulting in a home that is refined, timeless and responsive to its surroundings.

Some of the most elegant homes are built from materials that stand the test of time.

Bath stone, sourced from a local quarry, was selected for this classical country house.

The natural stone brings warmth, texture and lasting quality to our design.

At Alex Oliver Associates, we use high-quality, handcrafted timber sash windows for our projects.

Why choose timber sash windows?

• Period-accurate detailing for heritage properties

• Sustainable & repairable—unlike uPVC alternatives

• Beautiful proportions that enhance natural light

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.