Our masterplan for the former Bruton Girls School set out a vision for a new, landscape-led residential neighbourhood at the heart of Bruton. One that celebrated the site’s rich history, remarkable setting, and existing built character.
Our design approach began with a thorough understanding of the site’s unique characteristics. Its scale, massing, topography, and relationship to the surrounding landscape and neighbouring streets. Set in an elevated position with far-reaching views across the Somerset countryside, the site’s east–west slope proved both a defining feature and a design opportunity, creating a natural stage for homes that engaged directly with their stunning surroundings.
The site included several attractive heritage buildings, such as Highcroft and the Old School Buildings facing Strutter’s Hill Road. These structures formed the foundation of our vision for sensitive and sustainable conversions that retained the architectural legacy of the former school. A network of mature trees and established landscape features ran through and around the site, offering opportunities for enhancement and continuity with the wider environment. Together, these elements formed the backbone of a place-led residential community that respected its context and fostered a sense of belonging.
EXISTING SITE MASTERPLAN - GOOGLE EARTH©
EXISTING SITE IMAGES
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN - PARAMETERS + PRINCIPLES
Our masterplan principles diagram illustrated the key ideas that underpinned the proposal.
We began by identifying areas of existing density and active frontages within and around the site. These informed a strategy that focused new development on the existing built footprint, orientating homes to capture the site’s best views and natural light while allowing the landscape to flow through the layout.
The resulting plan created a fine-grained network of pedestrian and vehicular routes connecting north, south, east and west, linking seamlessly into the existing urban fabric and enhancing movement throughout Bruton.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN - CREATING A PROPOSAL
The proposed site layout plan translated these principles into a residential masterplan that sat sensitively within its setting.
A total of 96 dwellings were proposed, comprising a mix of 2–5 bedroom homes.
21 homes were accommodated through the conversion of existing heritage buildings.
The scheme delivered approximately 140,000 sqft GIA, representing a modest 10% uplift on the existing area while remaining largely within a similar footprint.
Non-heritage structures of limited architectural merit, primarily to the west, were identified for removal.
The layout was outward-facing, capturing the panoramic countryside views while maintaining strong connections to the village. Key landscape features, including mature trees, were retained and enhanced, and a new “Green Lung” was introduced. A green pedestrian connection between Mill Lane and Strutter’s Hill Road. The existing Hockey Club was retained as a potential key community asset, while development to the north-west around Highcroft was consciously avoided to ensure new buildings remained within the established built footprint. Within the masterplan, we proposed the relocation of the Nursery and Doctor’s Surgery into a newly converted Cumberlege building, ensuring that essential community facilities remained accessible and integrated.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN - PROPOSED SITE LAYOUT
The aerial perspective demonstrates how the proposed scale and massing would appear within its context, embedding naturally into the existing built form to create a landscape-led residential neighbourhood.
This view also illustrates the “Green Lung” as the primary entrance into the site, positioned at an existing junction and acting as a central spine through which landscape and movement, both pedestrian and vehicular intersected. These routes aligned naturally with the existing road network, while new pedestrian links improved accessibility throughout the town. Along the southern edge, a nature trail and pond offered elevated views across the countryside and the potential for a valuable new community amenity.
The Bruton Girls School Masterplan demonstrates how a sensitive, landscape-led approach could both preserve the site’s heritage and breathe new life into the village centre.
By blending residential living with generous green spaces and encouraging community interaction, the project sought to transform the former school into a thriving, interconnected, and visually engaging neighbourhood, one that honoured its legacy while shaping a sustainable and vibrant future for Bruton.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN - PROPOSED AERIAL SKETCH
Type
New Development
A+P Sector
Location
Somerset
Status
Feasibility