Rastgarth, Foxholes Road, Bournemouth

18th November 2015

Built in 1891 for the renowned Victorian landscape artist, Arthur Bell, this substantial home had fallen into ruin after decades of neglect. Already divided into three flats, the owners obtained consent for its replacement with eight, two bed apartments.

To breathe fresh life back into this lovely site, we completely reinvented it with a modern design. Before demolition, we wanted to honour the building’s heritage. So we invited artists, SIX, to host an exhibition in the house. During this, we found several antique Delft tiles and a stone bell belonging to the Bells. Then, in the final days of demolition, the contractors uncovered a remarkable sight – 256 blue Delft tiles arranged as the backdrop for a fireplace hidden behind a brick wall.
More about this story can be found in the book we published with SIX - Memories of a Unique House - contact us or SIX www.sixprojectspace.com to order a copy.

These antique tiles had been collected by Arthur Bell during his European travels in the late Nineteenth Century and represent three centuries of Delft tile manufacturing. Part of the collection will go on display, with the stone bell, at The Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre. The eight new apartments were completed in November 2016 with final sales achieved by April 2017.

 

This site uses some unobtrusive cookies to store information on your computer. By using our site you accept our Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy. ×