The Tractor Shed, Nether Compton, Somerset

With an exacting approach to materials, finish, and energy efficiency, this recently completed four-bedroom house has been designed by architect George Dawes and lies in a quiet rural position in Nether Compton, on the Dorset/Somerset border. Set in private gardens surrounded by open countryside, a series of beautifully light living spaces flow freely across a storey; a calm interior combines a pared-back material palette and an excellent quality of natural light. Constructed to be zero net carbon in use, the house is both contemporary and sensitive to its rural setting.



The Architect



Based in Bruton, Somerset, the award-winning architectural studio Bindloss Dawes was founded in 2018 by Oliver Bindloss and George Dawes. At the centre of their approach is the desire to produce beautifully crafted and thoughtful architecture, while balancing urban and rural sensibilities. Recent projects across the UK, Europe and the Caribbean, include the acclaimed Michelin star restaurant Osip in Bruton and several new-built and retrofitted homes, community retreats and creative studios, each with a focus on natural and sustainable materials.



Environmental Performance



The house has been designed with exceptional eco credentials, ensuring that it is ‘zero carbon in use’. Walls, floor and ceiling are highly insulated, and all doors and windows are triple glazed. The roof is fitted with 11 photovoltaic solar panels, which supply electricity to an air source heat pump, that provides underfloor heating throughout. The house is also fitted with an electric vehicle charging point, accessed from the driveway. The building has been designed and built to exacting standards and comes with a full structural building warranty, provided by the Q Policy.



The Tour



A quiet, country lane forms the approach; the house is set back from the road by a private driveway, with a generous provision of parking for several vehicles.



The house is architecturally defined by a dynamic, lateral structure and expansive glass doors and walls framed in solid Douglas Fir, crowned with an expressed steel structure and Kingspan metal roof. The overall design has been executed with exquisite attention to detail in a palette of high-quality materials and finishes.



The primary entrance is positioned at the front, where a full-height timber door forms the axis to the primary living areas, which unfold across the north easterly section; the sleeping areas lie on the south westerly section of the house.



Arranged in a predominantly open-plan layout, the living spaces have a seamless flow, ensuring an excellent quality of natural light, and with sun filtering in throughout the course of the day. Designed with a minimalist touch, the interior follows a quiet, serene aesthetic, bringing a wonderful play of light in the rooms and a visual dialogue between the interior and exterior spaces.



A ply kitchen is positioned centrally, neatly housing Bosch appliances, with a breakfast counter set adjacent. Utility and laundry facilities are tucked neatly into a separate space behind the kitchen. The primary living space offers great versatility in its layout; the dining area is currently positioned centrally, with painted steel beams extending overhead and painted screed flooring underfoot. All living spaces are flanked by west facing doors that open directly onto the garden.



The playout of the house has been carefully designed to optimise every inch of space. Rooms are beautifully proportioned, and the mono-pitch roof creates unexpectedly generous ceiling heights, adding to the sense of volume and space. The bedrooms set on the southerly side of the plan retains a neutral, soft colour palette creating a sense of restful retreat. The main bedroom has an ensuite shower room; the second bathroom, complete with shower and bathtub, is set centrally.



Outdoor Space



Designed for minimal impact and easy maintenance, the gardens were the subject of a subtle approach to landscaping, blending harmoniously with the surrounding open fields and countryside. Native Hawthorne, Birch and Apples trees have been planted and areas surrounding the house have been laid to lawn.



The Area



The Tractor Shed is located at the end of a sleepy country lane, with no through traffic, in the highly sought-after village of Nether Compton. A stream separates the house from the lane, which is just outside the Nether Compton conservations area, and the garden backs onto fields.



The desirable Dorset market town of Sherborne is a 10-minute drive away. Characterised by honey-coloured architecture, the historical town is home to a magnificent abbey and two castles: one romantic ruin and a new castle with grounds designed by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown.



The local towns of Sturminster Newton, Shaftesbury, Wincanton, Castle Cary and Bruton are also within easy reach. Bruton’s excellent dining options include the Michelin-starred Osip, The Old Pharmacy, At the Chapel, The Newt, Roth Bar and Da Costa, at the internationally renowned Hauser and Wirth gallery. All can be reached in around 30 minutes by car, alongside Margot Henderson’s The Three Horseshoes in Batcombe and The Newt in Yarlington.



The town of Frome is less than an hour away; a renowned hotspot for creative businesses and eateries including Rye Bakery, Projects Frome, Moo and Two, Frome Hardware and Frome Reclamation Yard. The Frome Independent, a monthly market showcasing local artisans and food producers, has also helped put Frome on the map, attracting over 80,000 visitors annually.



Nearby independent schools include Bryanston, Sherborne School for Girls, Sherborne School for Boys, Sherborne Preparatory School, Hazelgrove, Port Regis, Hanford and excellent state schools at Sherborne and Gillingham.



Transport links are also very good. Regular, direct train services from Yeovil connect to London Waterloo in just over two hours.



Council Tax Band: TBC