Great Elm
Frome
Working closely with Bood Group, Mitchell Eley Gould transformed a redundant agricultural site within the heart of the Frome countryside into a collection of purpose-built family dwellings.
Nestled on the gentle outskirts of Frome, this distinctive housing development reinterprets rural living through a refined lens of contemporary architecture. Comprising of three types of individually designed homes, the project draws inspiration from the agricultural heritage of Somerset, blending the familiar forms of the agricultural barns that previously occupied the site with the sophistication of modern rural design.
Together, the five homes form a contemporary hamlet—an architectural response that bridges the traditional barn typology with forward-thinking design. The result is not merely a collection of dwellings, but a cohesive community that embodies an example of how one may approach housing development within a rural landscape.
The architectural language is rooted in simplicity and honesty of materials—timber cladding, buff brick, and standing-seam metal roofs evoke the region’s vernacular structures whilst also ensuring longevity. Generous glazing frames views of the rolling countryside, inviting natural light deep into each interior and establishing a strong dialogue between inside and out. The orientation and spacing of the homes have been carefully considered to foster a sense of community while maintaining privacy and open vistas across shared green spaces.
Improving on-site biodiversity was a key design driver, with permanent owl nesting provisions and the inclusion of boundary hedgerows to achieve a net gain in natural habitats. Sensitive integration of renewable technologies in the form of air source heat pumps and solar panels also contribute to an awareness of environmental responsibility and low impact living.
Great Elm exemplifies how early design principles, defined at concept stage, can be effectively championed throughout planning and technical development to inform and refine the final scheme.
