Скачать или смотреть WW2 Bunker Transformed into an Underground Vacation Home

Located on a dairy farm within the stunning Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this forgotten historical artifact has been brought back to life, recently opening its doors to guests. Amid a series of abandoned underground bunkers on their land, the client commissioned architects to convert one of them into a functional holiday retreat.

The historical significance of the bunker is immediately evident, as it played a crucial role in the defense of the UK against German air raids. Along the English coast, the structure was part of an aircraft detection system, aiding in signaling and positioning of invaders. Now transformed into a vacation haven, the house preserves its original structure, celebrating and narrating this intricate history, while also ensuring a habitable and commercially viable space for the client.

The entrance to the bunker remains as it was, while a new "bomb blast" opening integrated into the original structure allows natural light into the space, as well as breathtaking views of the sea in Ringstead Bay. The bunker remains submerged in the landscape, as originally intended. This opening was also created as an intricate structural solution to support the roof and remaining walls, allowing the new glass doors to seamlessly fit into the aperture. Despite physical challenges, the designers' priority was to convey the bunker's history and preserve its original ambiance.

Internally, the concrete walls have been left exposed to maintain the original aesthetic, and the historical layout of the bunker has been largely preserved. Thus, one of the most challenging aspects of the design was ensuring the bunker's waterproofing. The final solution was to completely expose the bunker's structure, insulate and waterproof it from the outside, enveloping it in insulation and waterproofing, and then returning the earth and replanting it. This resulted in a highly insulated envelope with a thick thermal mass, minimizing energy requirements to heat the interior spaces.

Staying in the bunker, guests are aware that they are in a historic space, not a typical vacation home. The project celebrates and tells the story of the bunker, preserving its original essence and valuing its military significance. The unique sensation of staying in this iconic space is a truly memorable experience.

Project data

Location: Dorset, southwest England, UK
Completion: 2023
Gross internal floor area: 60m²
Gross (internal + external) floor area: 70m²
Architect: Corstorphine & Wright (The project was originally designed by UK studio Lipton Plant, which has since merged with Corstorphine & Wright)
Photography and drone footage: Will Scott

0:00 - Historical Significance
0:41 - Location
1:09 - Challenges
1:36 - Crossing the "Bomb Blast" Opening
2:28 - Service Access
3:01 - Kitchen, Bedroom, and Bathroom
3:43 - The Bunker at Night
4:26 - Drawings