Holly Tree Cottage

Holly Tree Cottage is a thoughtful refurbishment and extension of a former 1920s worker’s cottage in rural Dorset, winning both the 2026 RIBA South West and Wessex Award and Small Project of the Year.

Delivered in collaboration with Site Office, the project transforms the existing dwelling into a brighter, more open and energy-efficient home while carefully retaining the character of the original brick cottage.

A timber-framed extension has been introduced to the existing structure, with breathable wood-fibre insulation and lime render used to unify old and new elements and improve the building’s overall environmental performance. Internally, the layout has been fully reorganised to create open-plan living on the ground floor, with additional bedrooms and bathrooms above.

The wider site has also been adapted, with existing outbuildings reworked to provide flexible, secondary spaces that support modern rural living.

The result is a cohesive and adaptable family home that enhances the original building without losing its modest rural identity.