Modern black and wooden buildings surrounded by tall grass, trees, and flowers, with a green chair on a wooden deck; architecture by MOXON Architects.

Shirewood

Dorset, England

2023 — ongoing

Buildings · Private Homes

This remote ex-farmstead refurbishment, located in East Dorset, includes interventions to the original farmhouse, two new outbuildings that replace a dilapidated barn and a designated bat roosting building designed to accommodate seven species of bats identified on the site.

Modern black wooden buildings with benches in a lush garden, architecture by MOXON Architects.

Housing an artist’s studio and gym the two new outbuildings have been positioned to shield a sequence of new external spaces close to the main house while opening up views of the adjacent paddock and the surrounding countryside. All of the new structures will be clad in blackened timber to match the remaining farm buildings on the site and reflect the site's agricultural past.

An isometric view of a modern residential house with multiple wings, trees and open spaces, with architecture by MOXON Architects.

Modern wooden house with outdoor seating and lush greenery, architecture by MOXON Architects.

Modern black wooden house with large glass sliding doors, outdoor seating, and garden beds, architecture by MOXON Architects.

Modern wooden house with large glass doors and a balcony, surrounded by lush plants and trees, architecture by MOXON Architects.

The inclusion of the bat roosting structure unlocks the full potential for the interventions to the main house. Existing rooms are enhanced by utilizing attic spaces and adding skylights, while a new, two-story rear extension accommodates a winter garden and terrace that is linked directly to the master suite.