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The architecture at Poundbury does not represent any particular period but respects the
local vernacular styles. Traditional architecture is based on some fundamental principles.
Continuity
is the first principle. Just as every natural organism develops gradually so did our older
towns and villages. The architecture at Poundbury draws from the inheritance of Dorset
villages, especially places such as Blandford Forum, the old village of Fordington, now
part of Dorchester, and the ancient village of Cerne Abbas. The team of local architects
took time to study good local buildings before designing the houses for Poundbury.
Unity and interdependence are principles in nature and society as well as in
architecture and they apply particularly to Poundbury where this new area relates well to
Dorchester and the traditional architectural style of the county. Equally, within unity,
there is diversity. There might be a common building line along a pavement, a common roof
pitch or common materials, but within that there is enormous variety. Each house is
instantly recognisable and distinct but none dominates.
Symbolism is another principle. Houses and their design features play important roles.
For example, the front door - often framed or a point of symmetry - is a focal point
opened to reccive guests or closed for privacy; the chimney signifies hearth and home. The
formality of the design relates to the importance of the building in the development. As
people would dress formally for an important occasion, there are more formal features on
main strects, fewer in the back strects. |
