Crescent House, Compton Bassett, Calne, Wiltshire SN11

Renowned international architect and creator of world-famous landmarks, Dr Ken Shuttleworth, offers his acclaimed, award-winning modern country residence for sale.

The Crescent House embodies elegant minimalism. Its calm, sculptural form is deeply rooted in its setting, echoing Wiltshire’s ancient sacred circles, and is shaped by natural light, seasonal change and a desire for a quiet sensory connection to the landscape. Crafted from white finished concrete and glass, the design is modest yet purposeful, with each space created precisely for its function.

Approached through a screen of trees and woodland boundary, the first glimpse is of a tall chimney rising along the streamlined white horizontal plane. The sweeping wall guides you towards a gravel court, building anticipation before the discreet entrance reveal itself. Stepping inside, the space opens dramatically into a double height curving gallery.

The house is defined by two contrasting crescents. To the northwest, a solid, gently curving convex wall contains the private rooms. These secluded spaces - bedrooms, bathrooms and dressing areas, offer a sense of intimacy and protection, illuminated softly from above and orientated towards the sky, the weather and the quiet rhythms of nature.

In contrast, the southeast crescent is entirely glazed, a concave sweep of glass embracing the garden. This is the Garden Room: a single, open volume where cooking, dining and living flow together. Flooded with natural light, it draws the landscape into the home and frames views of the sunlit garden throughout the day.

Between these two forms, the gallery acts as the home’s spine. Its gentle curve narrows and expands as you move through it, culminating at a monumental fireplace, the heart of the house, before opening into the expansive Garden Room. Above, a high-level gallery offers storage and elevated views, lit by shimmering clerestory glazing. The Crescent House balances serenity with drama, privacy with openness - an architectural response perfectly attuned to its setting.

Landscape
The landscape has been crafted with a refined simplicity inspired by Wiltshire’s rural heritage. A restrained palette of meadowland, pond, native trees and seasonal bulbs allows the natural scenery and the changing seasons to take centre stage.

At its core, a circle of maple trees encloses a wildflower hay meadow planted with species native to the county. A mown grass walk follows the curve, framing views of the Marlborough Downs, the Cherhill White Horse and the surrounding ancient landscape. Echoing the timeless geometry of Avebury and Stonehenge, this circular form unifies the orchard, meadow and other key garden spaces. A contrasting straight woodland avenue runs parallel to the winter brook, where mature evergreens cut cleanly across the circular motif, adding architectural tension and structure. Thoughtfully positioned, The Crescent House, fully embraces its natural setting.

Energy
The house is designed with strong environmental sensitivity. Its concrete structure with masonry infill delivers high thermal mass, storing heat and slowing temperature changes. Wrapped in 100mm of CFC free wall insulation and 200mm to the roof, the building achieves excellent insulation, lowering heating demand, CO emissions and maintaining summer comfort.

The orientation maximises daylight, passive solar gain and enjoyment of the sun without overheating. Morning light quickly warms the house, while the solid and translucent façades temper the strongest afternoon sun. The home benefits from full natural cross ventilation and abundant daylight, with the chimney functioning as a passive stack to enhance summer airflow.

Crescent House is situated on the outskirts of Compton Bassett, a charming hamlet in the foothills of the Marlborough Downs, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the heart of Wiltshire, with views to the Cherhill White Horse.

Calne provides excellent day to day shopping whilst, to the east, the bustling market town of Marlborough provides an array of shops, restaurants, cafés and cultural amenities, while the surrounding countryside offers superb walking, riding and outdoor pursuits.

The property is well placed for communication links with regular commuter trains running from nearby Chippenham and Swindon. There are excellent schools in the area including St Mary’s Calne, Dauntsey’s and Marlborough College. There are also good primary and secondary schools in Calne.

Services: Mains electricity, gas and water. Pumped mains drainage. Gas heating
Postcode: SN11 8RA
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