Charles Gillespie_Architecture

02/09/2026

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We value the role that skilled craftspeople and artisans play in bringing a design to life. The most successful details come from a close dialogue between designer and maker — where an idea is refined through material knowledge, experience and care in ex*****on.

We loved working with on Highlands, with this collaborative approach particularly evident in the oak staircase. Conceived as a warm, sculptural element within the house, it also incorporates a discreetly concealed door to the utility room, allowing a practical requirement to sit seamlessly within the overall composition.

It is a detail that relies as much on precision and craftsmanship as it does on design intent, and one that we particularly enjoyed developing with the people who made it.

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30/08/2026

19/08/2026

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A home designed not only for the way it is lived in now, but for how it might adapt over time.

A key part of the brief at Highlands was to create a house that would allow its occupants to maintain independence and autonomy into later life, without compromising the clarity or quality of the architecture. Rather than treating accessibility as an add on, adaptability was considered from the outset and integrated into the building planning, circulation and building infrastructure.

The result is a home that can respond to changing needs over time whilst maintaining a strong architectural identity.

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17/08/2026

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Highlands is a contemporary home in the Somerset countryside, drawing on the simple, efficient forms of the agricultural buildings that surround it.

The house is formed around a strong rectilinear base and steeply pitched roof, creating a distinctive silhouette while making efficient use of the building’s volume. Designed to Passivhaus principles, efficiency of form, airtightness and careful detailing were central to the project from the outset.

We’re looking forward to sharing more of Highlands over the coming weeks — from the thinking behind its form and material palette to the details, interiors and approach to energy performance.

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10/08/2026

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The use of natural, breathable materials is an important part of our work. At The Linhay, the building fabric brings together wood fibre insulation, monolithic clay blocks and lime plaster, alongside locally sourced stone and timber cladding.

The materials were selected not only for their environmental performance, but also for their tactility, warmth and ability to age well. Internally, the soft texture of the lime plaster and the natural variation in the finishes give the rooms a calm, welcoming character. Externally, the stone and timber cladding bring depth and texture to the elevations, helping the house feel grounded in its rural Somerset setting. As the materials weather, they will continue to develop character over time.

Breathability was also central to the design of the building fabric. The wood fibre insulation, clay blocks and lime plaster work together as a vapour-open construction, allowing moisture to move through the walls rather than becoming trapped within them. Their ability to buffer changes in temperature and humidity helps create a more stable and comfortable internal environment, while supporting good indoor air quality and a healthier home.

It will come as little surprise to those who have worked with him, but it was a real pleasure working with to capture the project. Dave brought a thoughtful and relaxed approach to the shoot — and being neighbours certainly helped with the dawn photography.

Thanks again to for featuring The Linhay.
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06/08/2026

_completion.
The use of natural, breathable materials is an important part of our work. At The Linhay, the building fabric brings together wood fibre insulation, monolithic clay blocks and lime plaster, alongside locally sourced stone and timber cladding.
The materials were selected not only for their environmental performance, but also for their tactility and warmth. Internally, the soft texture of the lime plaster and the natural variation within the finishes give the rooms a calm, welcoming character. Externally, the stone and timber cladding bring depth and texture to the elevations, helping the house feel grounded in its rural Somerset setting. As the materials weather and age, they will continue to develop character over time.
Breathability was also central to the design of the building fabric. The wood fibre insulation, clay blocks and lime plaster work together as a vapour-open construction, allowing moisture to move through the walls rather than becoming trapped within them. Their ability to buffer changes in temperature and humidity helps create a more stable and comfortable internal environment, while supporting good indoor air quality and a healthier home.
This will also come as little surprise to those who have worked with him, but it was a such a pleasure working with to capture the project. Dave brought a thoughtful and relaxed approach to the shoot, it helped being neighbours for the dawn photography as well.
Thanks again for the feature.
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05/08/2026

_completion.
The use of natural, breathable materials is an important part of our work. At The Linhay, the building fabric brings together wood fibre insulation, monolithic clay blocks and lime plaster, alongside locally sourced stone and timber cladding.

The materials were selected not only for their environmental performance, but also for their tactility and warmth. Internally, the soft texture of the lime plaster and the natural variation within the finishes give the rooms a calm, welcoming character. Externally, the stone and timber cladding bring depth and texture to the elevations, helping the house feel grounded in its rural Somerset setting. As the materials weather and age, they will continue to develop character over time.

Breathability was also central to the design of the building fabric. The wood fibre insulation, clay blocks and lime plaster work together as a vapour-open construction, allowing moisture to move through the walls rather than becoming trapped within them. Their ability to buffer changes in temperature and humidity helps create a more stable and comfortable internal environment, while supporting good indoor air quality and a healthier home.

This will also come as little surprise to those who have worked with him, but it was a such a pleasure working with to capture the project. Dave brought a thoughtful and relaxed approach to the shoot, it helped being neighbours for the dawn photography as well.

Thanks again for the feature.
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02/08/2026

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Thank you for the featured article on The Linhay as part of their series.
The Linhay is a new-build home in rural Somerset. The project reinterprets the spatial logic, proportions and rhythm of the Linhay barn to create a contemporary home that sits between domestic comfort and agricultural utility, rooted in place, without resorting to pastiche.
All-electric, with air source heat pump, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery and a photovoltaic array, The Linhay transforms a regional agricultural archetype into a low-energy family home, with upfront and embodied carbon exceeding LETI and RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge.
Link in the bio
Words - Amina Amber
Photography -
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