Architects in Somerset
Bespoke Design Rooted in Local Materiality
ReFrame Studio works with homeowners and self-builders across Somerset who want thoughtfully designed, contemporary homes in one of England's most characterful counties. Somerset has quietly become a place of serious architectural ambition — home to landmark projects that have drawn international attention while remaining rooted in the landscapes, villages and independent spirit that make it so distinctive.
Our work across Somerset is shaped by a genuine connection to the region. Founding directors Carly and Scott first met while studying architecture in Bath, where they developed a shared interest in thoughtful, well-crafted design that responds sensitively to historic settings.
Residential Architects in Somerset
ReFrame Studio works with homeowners and self-builders across Somerset, designing carefully considered homes that respond to their setting and the way people live. Our projects range from extensions and renovations to new-build houses and self-builds — often within historic villages, market towns and the kind of quietly extraordinary rural landscapes that make this part of England so distinctive.
Somerset has become one of the most architecturally interesting counties in England. Landmark projects like Hauser & Wirth's Bruton gallery, The Newt in Somerset and The Creamery have drawn international attention to a region already rich in character — demonstrating that genuinely ambitious contemporary design can take root in deeply rural settings. Yet Somerset hasn't traded its soul for cultural cachet. The independent spirit that fills Frome's monthly market, the unhurried rhythms of its villages and market towns — these remain as present as ever, and they continue to shape what good architecture here should feel like.
Planning Permission in Somerset
Navigating planning permission in Somerset requires a clear strategy from the outset. Conservation areas, National Landscapes, listed buildings and open countryside all bring their own set of considerations — and the planning authorities here take design quality seriously.
As an RIBA Chartered practice, we guide clients through every stage of the process, from early feasibility and pre-application discussions to the preparation and submission of full planning applications. Our familiarity with the local planning context helps us develop proposals that are both architecturally strong and well-positioned for consent — giving your project the best possible chance of a successful outcome.
Local Projects
A selection of projects from the Somerset area.
Somerset Farm
Complete Refurbishment
Perched on an elevated site in a Somerset village, this former farmhouse plot carries a kind of quiet drama — sweeping views, open skies and a sense of standing apart from the world. When London-based interior designers Daytrip Studio brought us on board as project managers, the ambition was clear: to expertly deliver their vision for a complete internal renovation, and implement a total transformation of the garden. Our role was to make sure that ambition was delivered — managing the entire process with the precision and coordination that a project of this complexity demands.
The interior is confident and considered in equal measure. Working in close collaboration with the interior designers, the finished spaces balance a restrained material palette with moments of real richness — bespoke joinery crafted to sit flush and purposeful within each room, fine Italian marble lending warmth and gravitas where it matters most. It is an interior that earns its luxury through detail and craft, feeling at once curated and genuinely lived-in.
Outside, the landscape more than holds its own. A naturally filtered 12-metre swimming pool anchors the external scheme, approached via a silver-birch lined timber walkway that pulls you through the garden and out toward the open countryside beyond. A bespoke outdoor kitchen sits perfectly positioned overlooking a wildflower meadow — the designed and the natural blurring together in a way that feels entirely intentional. The garden doesn't just surround the house; it extends it, completing a project that is as much about Somerset itself as the home at its centre.
Bonnie Banks
New Build Home
Withy Villa
Interior Re-design
Meet the Team
Our Bath studio serves clients across Somerset and is led by Carly, who grew up in the city and returned in 2021 after working in Cambridge, bringing her experience back to the region she has always called home.
The studio works with clients across the county and into the surrounding landscapes of Wiltshire. Carly has a strong understanding of the planning processes across Somerset, alongside an established network of trusted local consultants and suppliers who support projects from concept through to completion.
She is available for face-to-face meetings and regular site visits, guiding clients through each stage with clear, collaborative advice. Her design approach is shaped by Somerset’s varied architectural character - from historic towns and vernacular buildings to its rolling countryside - as well as the wider landscapes of the Cotswolds and surrounding hills.
This local understanding informs projects that respond carefully to their setting, with a thoughtful, place-led approach that balances heritage, sustainability and contemporary living.
Get in touch
If you are interested in talking to us about your new house design, self-build or residential development in the Somerset area please get in touch with Carly. For all new projects we can arrange for a free initial consultation and site visit.