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VESP Architects

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VESP Architects

Devon based contemporary Architects, offering a complete design service from inception to completion.

We are a medium sized architectural practice, located in Ashburton, Devon. Our approach aims to wed progressive, contemporary design with environmentally responsible construction practices. Each of our designs is bespoke and site specific, tailor made to the client’s requirements and the critical demands of a sustainable environment.

24/06/2026

The impressive view was always there, the house just needed to be reimagined.

Although still undergoing the final stages of construction, we wanted to share a few images of this Dartmoor home as it nears completion. The original house had reached the end of its serviceable life, making refurbishment and extension unviable. A replacement dwelling was therefore proposed to provide a more functional home with a much stronger connection to its surroundings.

Designed to Passivhaus principles, the new house utilises a highly insulated timber frame and triple glazing to deliver exceptional thermal performance and airtightness. Externally, a restrained palette of stone, timber and dark metal roofing takes its cues from the agricultural buildings of Dartmoor, while inside, light-filled contemporary spaces celebrate the landscape beyond.

We look forward to sharing more images once the final touches are complete.

19/06/2026

It’s exciting to see Erme House emerging from the landscape.

Designed as a replacement dwelling, the project replaces a poor-quality rendered house with a contemporary home that more than doubles the footprint of the original. During the planning process, the proposals were praised by the local authority for their innovative design and strong environmental credentials.

The house cascades down the hillside in four distinct volumes, each anchored by robust stone walls and inspired by the surrounding woodland and rugged South Devon coastline.

Natural slate, Cornish lime render, standing seam copper and an expressive glulam timber structure combine to create a home that feels deeply connected to its setting.

We can't wait to see this one continue to take shape on site.

Read more on our website, www.vesp.uk/projects/erme-house

12/06/2026

The copper roof at Erme House is only just being installed, yet it is already beginning its transformation.
One of the remarkable qualities of copper is that it continues to evolve throughout the life of a building. When first installed, it has a warm, reflective finish that highlights the craftsmanship of the installation and the clean geometry of the roof design. Even at this early stage, however, the surface is already reacting with oxygen and the elements.
Over time, exposure to air, moisture and trace atmospheric compounds causes the copper to oxidise, forming a thin, stable layer known as a patina. This is not a coating and it is certainly not a sign of deterioration. Instead, the patina acts as a natural protective barrier, shielding the copper beneath and increasing its resistance to corrosion.
As the process continues, the copper gradually darkens into rich brown tones before eventually developing the green and blue hues for which copper roofs are renowned. During this transition, the roof can appear beautifully varied, with different areas weathering at different rates depending on sunlight, rainfall and roof geometry.
Given Erme House's exposed coastal setting, salt carried in the sea air is likely to accelerate the process, allowing the roof to develop its distinctive character sooner than it would inland.
The evolving copper roof sits above the emerging stone plinths and expressive glulam timber structure, forming part of a material palette inspired by the rugged South Devon coastline. As the building settles into its landscape, the copper will continue to change, mature and tell the story of its environment for decades to come.

Read more on this coastal house www.vesp.uk/news-item/vesp-architects-achieve-planning-permission-for-striking-replacement-dwelling-on-south-devon-coastline

27/05/2026

A carefully restored Victorian villa in Dorset, reimagined for contemporary family living.
Alongside the full refurbishment of the original house, a new rear extension was added to create a generous open-plan kitchen, dining and living space with a much stronger connection to the landscape.
Fully glazed on two sides, the new garden room opens directly onto the private garden and frames views across the Dorset countryside beyond , something the original house was never able to fully embrace.
The result is a light-filled space that connects inside and out, bringing everyday living closer to the surrounding landscape while complementing the character of the historic home.

Garden design by
Interior design by
Photos by Downer Photography

20/05/2026

Timber ceilings have a unique ability to transform the atmosphere of an interior.

Beyond their natural beauty, they introduce warmth, texture and softness, helping larger spaces feel calm, grounded and inviting. Whether expressed through finely detailed slats, exposed structural elements or broad timber planes, the material adds depth and character in a way few other finishes can.

Across many of our projects, timber is used not only as a finish, but as an integral architectural element, bringing warmth and tactility to contemporary spaces while creating a strong connection to nature and craftsmanship.

Featured projects:
Hexworthy House, Dartmoor
Stipperstone, Devon
Sycamore House, North Yorkshire

19/05/2026

A moment of colour and contrast from Labrador Bay House.

Deeply pigmented walls frame the stairwell, creating a dramatic backdrop for the playful suspended lighting installation. Bright orange cables weave through the space, adding energy, movement and a strong visual rhythm, while the warm glow of the pendants softens the darker tones around them.

A good example of how lighting and colour can completely shape the atmosphere of a space.

12/05/2026

Timber cladding continues to feature across many of our projects, valued for both its versatility and its connection to the landscape.
Depending on the species, finish and detailing, timber can feel refined and contemporary, soft and natural, or robust and agricultural. It can be installed vertically or horizontally, left untreated to weather naturally to silver-grey tones, or treated to deepen colour and durability over time.
Alongside its visual warmth and texture, sustainably sourced timber also offers significant environmental benefits, making it an important material within low-energy and environmentally conscious architecture.
A few examples here of how we’ve used timber cladding across a range of projects, each responding differently to its setting and architectural character.

Check out our website for more images, www.vesp.uk

08/05/2026

We’re pleased to have received planning permission for this new coastal home in Downderry, Cornwall.
The carefully considered replacement dwelling demonstrates how thoughtful design can respond successfully to complex planning constraints while delivering high-quality contemporary architecture in a highly sensitive landscape.
Located within an Area of Great Landscape Value and a Coastal Vulnerability Zone, the project presented significant challenges from the outset. Its exposed coastal position required a robust and evidence-led approach, particularly in relation to landscape impact, long-term coastal erosion and compliance with both local and national planning policy.
The proposal responds carefully to its setting, creating a home that sits comfortably within the wider Cornish coastline while embracing contemporary design.

You can read more about this exciting project on our website, www.vesp.uk/news-item/planning-permission-received-for-new-coastal-home

07/05/2026

This is one of our projects on Dartmoor where you can see how important CGI visuals are in communicating a design long before construction begins.

They help clients understand the scale, materials, light and atmosphere of a project in a much more realistic way, giving a clear sense of how the finished building will sit within its landscape.

For us, CGI is not about creating something over-polished or unrealistic. It's about communicating architecture clearly, honestly, and helping bring a project to life long before it is built.

06/05/2026

The proposal for this replacement house is rooted in its Cornish setting, creating a building that truly belongs to its landscape, something the existing structure fails to achieve. A strong sense of place is established through the use of locally distinctive materials, including Cornish slate stone walling and reclaimed Delabole slate tiles carefully salvaged from the original building. Their naturally dark, muted tones allow the house to sit quietly within the green surroundings, settling comfortably into the wider estuary landscape.
..and what a view the house will have....

Read more here, www.vesp.uk/news-item/replacement-dwelling-restronguet-point-cornwall

Address

5 Station Yard
Ashburton
TQ137EF

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 6:30pm
Tuesday	8am - 6:30pm
Wednesday	8am - 6:30pm
Thursday	8am - 6:30pm
Friday	8am - 6:30pm

Telephone

+441364653503

Website

http://www.vesp.uk/

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