Poundbury Village Photos

January 2008, William Hooper

Although the village of Poundbury is brand new, the buildings were designed by Neo-Classical Architects to mimic a traditional Dorset Village. The design is high density rather than suburban. Instead of zoning, the developers mixed shops, houses and business together giving the village more character. The project echoes the United States 'New Urbanism' movement (eg town of Seaside), except the design influences are, of course, English. The houses include many period features such as chimneys. Even the occasional bricked-up window is included (a feature found on many old British buildings, due to the window tax). The roads are free of lane markings and road signs are kept to a minimum. Street furnishings are also traditional. To reduce unsightly on street parking there are many courtyards in the Village. Building in the tradition style, using mostly modern materials and techniques, apparently adds just 15% to overall costs. Moderate build costs, relatively high density and skyrocketing house prices have delivered Price Charles handsome profits. Other developers are now copying the idea. Once derided, Poundbudy has now become a model for sympathetic and popular development.

Although my photos are taken on a very grey January day, and I am no professional, I hope they might be of use. I have included both photos of the buildings I liked, and the buildings I didn't like. One Poundbury problem I noticed is that unpainted concrete clearly deteriorates much faster than real stone, and I think its use should be treated with caution.

If I could afford to build an entire village I would probably stick to the White Stucco Fronted Regency Style we see so much of in Chelsea London (example). Easy to replicated in concrete, but beautiful and well suited to high density developments I think it is the perfect style. Maybe some smart chap in China will take that advice on board...