en.Wedoany.com Reported - UK-based TYPE Architecture Studio has recently completed the renovation of an abandoned cottage on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset. The project embodies the concept of "radical reuse," merging two cottages into a single residence while preserving original materials and structure to the greatest extent possible. The renovation process treated the abandoned cottage as a material bank, first retaining and reusing everything within it, introducing as few new materials as possible, and then sourcing additional needs from salvage yards and waste dealers.
The double-height space introduced by the previous owner was reconfigured to the center of the floor plan, forming an open-plan living and dining area, allowing further modifications without affecting the original historical layout. On the second floor, two sleeping areas are located at opposite ends of the residence, separated by the double-height space, each with its own staircase. The west-facing bedroom features an inward-facing Juliet balcony and an en-suite bathroom, situated above the kitchen and utility room; at the other end, a mezzanine-style gallery forms a writer's room, separated from the rest of the residence by bi-fold doors.
To keep the main spaces open and flexible within a limited footprint, a new service core was built, relocating the boiler tank, utilities, and storage to the periphery. The cottage was stripped back to its structural shell, revealing rough stone walls and stone floors built by local quarry workers over a century ago. The marks of a breaking hammer on the floor were preserved as a record of the building's history, and the brick infill around the chimney was also retained. All removed materials were assessed to determine if they could be recycled, repaired, or repurposed; old floor joists that could not be reused structurally were hand-de-nailed, cut to size, and repurposed as columns for the new service core, while decayed floorboards were reused as ceiling cladding. The original staircase was reconfigured, with its balustrade and handrail being among the few new elements, hand-forged by a local blacksmith.
For materials that could not be sourced internally, such as hardware, sanitaryware, and lighting, items were found at salvage yards, local suppliers, and on eBay; a stone sink was carved from surplus stone from a nearby Purbeck quarry. To improve thermal performance, wood fiber insulation was added to the roof, walls were coated with high-insulation lime-based plaster, and an air-source heat pump and photovoltaic panels were installed. Existing windows were replaced with high-performance timber-framed windows.
TYPE Studio director Ogi Ristic stated that the project aims to serve as a case study, demonstrating what can be achieved by resisting the instinct to demolish and discard. By starting from what already exists—stone, joists, floors, fittings—and asking how each element can be preserved, repaired, or reused, the project has achieved a quality and character that no new specification could replicate. Located on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, the project commenced in September 2019 and was completed in October 2024, with a total floor area of 85 square meters. The local authority is Dorset Council, the client is private, and the construction cost is undisclosed. The structural engineer is PCA Consulting Engineers, the mechanical and electrical consultant is GR Edwardes, the lead designer is TYPE, the main contractor is D&G Morgan Building Contractors, the blacksmith is John Churchill, and the CAD software used includes AutoCAD and SketchUp.
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