James Gorst by Rachael Smith

James Gorst
Pictures Rachael Smith
Words Dominic Bradbury

Architect James Gorst has a long association with Suffolk, having grown up in the county. For many years Gorst has split his life between London and Suffolk, with Suffolk now taking priority in terms of family living. Gorst, his wife Charity and their two children now count the picturesque market town of Framlingham as home.
Here, they have a period house alongside the town’s main church and not far from Framlingham Castle. Gorst bought the property just after its former owner decided to close her interior design store, which once occupied the front portion of the building facing the street. Gorst has set up his Suffolk office in the old shop while the grand room on the piano nobile above now serves as a combined library and living room.
The other part of the house has been updated for family living, holding the kitchen, dining room and bedrooms over the two upper levels. One of the greatest delights of the house is its quiet walled garden to the rear, while a central courtyard offers another private outdoor room. As well as projects in London and elsewhere, Gorst has also secured a number of new commissions in Suffolk itself.