New House at Old Belses

Brief

New House at Old Belses is architect Philip Benton’s own self-build home. With his wife, they are working to create a peaceful home that feels like it has always been part of the landscape.

Themes

The design is in progress currently, and blends Borders vernacular with georgian influences. It seeks to represent the point in history at which the local-origin farmhouse design began to be influenced a more refined classically-inspired architecture.

In all of our lives we have our relaxed everyday and our smarter formal occasions. We have a desire for earthiness and connection to the land, and the impetus to create something thoughtful that transcends it. The contrast and harmony between these two are the positioning theme in the new house at Old Belses.

Intended to be built over a period of time, the house will to grow with the family and show a variety of expressions inside and out.

Connection

The central value that shapes the house is connection: connection to place, to the land, the local community; to create a warm space for friends and family to share in social connection.

Planning Permission was granted in November 2021, and construction is expected to start in early 2024.

Follow the Journey

@NewHouseatOldBelses on instagram:

Learn More About Self-Building

Additionally, you can learn more about our work on self-build homes in Scotland on our self-build page.