Rear courtyard view of a stone single storey house with swimming pool

Seaview Barn

Seaview Barns is a collection of interlinked barn-style buildings forming a contemporary coastal residence that celebrates natural materials, craftsmanship, and connection to landscape. Positioned to capture expansive sea views, the home has been designed as a tranquil family retreat that balances warmth, openness, and understated luxury.

Client

Mr & Mrs Ellison

Client

Mr & Mrs Ellison

Location

Dorset, United Kingdom

Location

Dorset, United Kingdom

Size

2,100sqft

Size

2,100sqft

Type

Conversion

Type

Conversion

Category

Residential Architecture

Category

Residential Architecture

Services

Concept Design, Architecture, Technical Design

Services

Concept Design, Architecture, Technical Design

Year

2021

Year

2021

Status

Complete

Status

Complete

Seaview Barns is a collection of interlinked barn-style buildings forming a contemporary coastal residence that celebrates natural materials, craftsmanship, and connection to landscape. Positioned to capture expansive sea views, the home has been designed as a tranquil family retreat that balances warmth, openness, and understated luxury.

Design Approach

The architectural language draws from traditional agricultural forms, expressed through a refined contemporary aesthetic. A series of pitched-roof volumes are arranged around a landscaped courtyard and pool, creating a private, sheltered heart to the home. Stone walls, timber cladding, and metal roofing come together in a tactile material palette that feels timeless and rooted in place. Expansive glazing opens the interiors to light and views, while deep overhangs provide shade and compositional rhythm.

Spatial Layout

The layout is centred around the courtyard, with living, dining, and kitchen spaces arranged to maximise both natural light and visual connection across the site. Each barn volume accommodates distinct functions — from guest suites to private bedrooms — all linked through glazed walkways that encourage a sense of flow and openness. Outdoor terraces and landscaped pathways blur the threshold between interior and exterior living, reinforcing the home’s connection to its coastal context.

Sustainability & Materials

Durability and sustainability guided every material choice. Locally sourced stone provides thermal mass and character, while high-performance glazing and modern insulation ensure comfort throughout the seasons. Timber detailing softens the overall composition, lending warmth and texture to the restrained architectural form.

Outcome

Seaview Barns is a calm and timeless retreat that merges rural tradition with contemporary design sensibilities. The result is a refined yet welcoming home — one that feels intimately connected to its surroundings and perfectly suited to modern family life.

We wanted a home that felt contemporary yet completely at ease in its surroundings, and the design team achieved that beautifully. The barns feel calm, light, and connected to the landscape — every space has a sense of purpose and tranquillity. It’s everything we imagined, and more.

Mr & Mrs Ellison

Private Client