The Farmhouse.
A calm, timeless home that feels perfectly settled deep within the South Downs National Park.
The challenge was not simply to replace a building, but to imagine, with confidence, what could belong here.
When dealing with a site as sensitive as the South Downs National Park, a replacement house must earn its position. The site offered long views across open countryside and a strong sense of place, but demolishing the existing structure brought uncertainty about scale and fit. The client, renowned architect Graham Morrison, acted as lead designer and sought a collaborative partner to help realise a home that felt inevitable rather than imposed.
We joined the project to guide the delivery stage, developing the design in detail and navigating the complexities of procurement and construction. Our role was to preserve the original architectural intent while translating it into a buildable, rigorously crafted reality.
-
Type
Private Residential
-
Scope
New build house, associated outbuildings, swimming pool and gardens
-
Location
Bury, Pulborough, West Sussex
-
Client
Graham Morrison
-
Completion
2021
-
Services
Delivery
The architecture draws directly from the local agricultural vernacular, appearing as a cluster of farm buildings rather than a single mass.
From the outset, the approach was landscape-led rather than a singular architectural gesture. The final arrangement reads as a small group of buildings, shaped by courtyards that mediate between the house and the landscape. We utilised a palette of plain clay tiled roofs, stone walls, and painted timber boarding to anchor the house in tradition, while ensuring the detailing remained precise and contemporary.
Inside, the plan balances generosity with intimacy. Key living spaces are oriented toward the best views, while the sequence of sheltered outdoor spaces enriches daily life, ensuring the home feels open when full, yet calm and contained when quiet.
As an architect with a lifetime’s experience, I picked George & James because they understand what it takes to make a really good building. They are completely reliable, inventive with detail, and attentive to budget. I have found them to be calm, consistent, and a pleasure to work with.”
Graham Morrison
For us, this project was a testament to the power of shared values and precise craft.
Local materials, including Keymer clay tiles and locally sourced stone, were selected to reinforce the building’s connection to place. The result is a project defined by care, recognised by the Sussex Heritage Trust for its “meticulous” design and “calm atmosphere.” It reflects a deep collaboration between an informed client and our team, a relationship built on trust that ensured the home feels settled, dignified, and built to last.
Could this be the start of your story?
Every home we build is a response to a specific life and a specific landscape or context. If this project has inspired you, let’s discuss how we can bring the same level of craft, clarity, and character to your vision.
Similar Projects
-
Read more
Herefordshire Farmhouse
A new, enduring family home, rising from the ashes of a historic fruit farm.
-
Read more
The Grove
Respecting History, Creating Modern Comfort
-
Read more
Piddington, Northamptonshire
A landscape-led extension to Piddington village.
-
Read more
Wellfield Avenue
A quiet transformation of a
Victorian terrace in North London.