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After the initial astonishment, the Police and later a team of Archaeologists were brought in who thankfully identified the remains as being of Roman origin. After a period of intense excavation, it was confirmed as a site of Archaeological importance when further evidence of Roman burials and defensive fortifications were uncovered, including the discovery of a rare Roman burial urn. Once the site was cleared of artefacts and the bodies taken to the local museum for research, work on the building could continue.

These ancient findings further added to the already rich historical context of the property situated in the town of Winchester, the old Roman capital of England. The project was to convert the original servants’ quarters of the large Manor House that overlooked the surrounding grasslands. It was built by the Earl of Airlie in 1856 while he served as Camp Commandant at the nearby Peninsular Barracks military base and split into two more modestly sized dwellings in the 1950s.

Since then, the servants’ quarters had fallen into a state of disrepair after the unfortunate passing of a sole elderly owner. It remained vacant for a number of years, until the long-time occupants of the Manor House sought to retire and move into the more manageable servants’ quarters and turn it into their dream home.

The owner’s love of glass fuelled their brief to construct a beautifully simple sculptural glass staircase and a contemporary glass extension, situated at the rear of the property in the space created by the ‘C’ shape of the building, which would open itself up to the garden.

he owner’s love of glass fuelled their brief to construct a beautifully simple sculptural glass staircase and a contemporary glass extension, situated at the rear of the property in the space created by the ‘C’ shape of the building, which would open itself up to the garden.

The owner’s love of glass fuelled their brief to construct a beautifully simple sculptural glass staircase and a contemporary glass extension, situated at the rear of the property in the space created by the ‘C’ shape of the building, which would open itself up to the garden.

The couple approached AR Design Studio Chartered Architects because of their experience in dealing with glass architecture and their interest in how this material can be used to create seamless relationships between inside and outside space, between the man-made and nature.

Hidden from view behind the buildings traditional façade, the finished extension is an elegant piece of modern contemporary glass architecture. It completely reinvents the feel and atmosphere of the previously dark and cramped servants’ quarters; all within the rich and poignant historical context of the site.

Hidden from view behind the buildings traditional façade, the finished extension is an elegant piece of modern contemporary glass architecture. It completely reinvents the feel and atmosphere of the previously dark and cramped servants’ quarters; all within the rich and poignant historical context of the site.

The concept was to provide a clean and light architectural intervention alongside the traditional shell of the building which would positively affect the feel and functionality of the property. The spaces are designed to accentuate a play between light and dark; contrasting from the bright and open communal spaces to the more subtle and secluded, almost cave-like retreat spaces in the old house.

This extremely light and spacious frameless glass extension houses the open-plan kitchen, living and dining areas. As the delicate structure reaches over to form the walls and roof of the extension, it creates a flexible inside/outside space allowing sunlight to flood through the home and filter down gradually, creating beautiful shards of light and shadow.

The existing layout was clarified; vertical voids were cut through the house to unite the cellar, ground and first floors and redirect the flow of the house to naturally draw the user towards the new glass space at the heart of the home.

This extremely light and spacious frameless glass extension houses the open-plan kitchen, living and dining areas. As the delicate structure reaches over to form the walls and roof of the extension, it creates a flexible inside/outside space allowing sunlight to flood through the home and filter down gradually, creating beautiful shards of light and shadow.

As a contrast to the extension, the formal lounge, study and dining room have a more sheltered and embracing nature. Upstairs, the Glass House has 4 large double bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom. The master suite has its own walk-in wardrobe and views overlooking the garden and the top of the glass extension below.  All the essentials have been accounted for, in the form of utility and laundry rooms, study and WC that flank the glass box.

The strategic placement of the large roof light floods the entrance hall with sunlight that tracks through the double-height space with the time of day and the seasons.

Timber ceramic tiling was used as an innovative alternative to traditional timber flooring because it does not discolour in the weather and is a perfect surface to compliment the underfloor heating throughout. This allowed for a seamless floor finish running from the inside to the outside onto the cantilevered patio.

The rest of the house is finished to a minimal and clean appearance to allow the functional glass structures to stand out as exquisite pieces of sculptural art in their own right.

Whilst still retaining a subtle street appearance, the finished property now renamed Clarkes, is completely transformed from its previous gloomy and decrepit nature. The modern renovation and extension creates a light, airy and open living environment bursting with traditional values, contemporary style and innovative design.

More details can be found on the project page, here.

Photographer: Martin Gardner, www.spacialimages.com

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The planning application for this residential new-build; a new modern super insulated five bedroomed home has just been granted planning permission.

During the 8 week process we worked very closely with both the local planning department and surrounding neighbours resulting in the scheme being very well received:

“I’m really looking forward to seeing this house being built.”

Nicola Reid – Planning Officer

More details can be found on the project page, here

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Friday April 5th 1946, on a beautifully clear Spring afternoon crowds cheered as the 25/1 racehorse, “Lovely Cottage”, strode triumphantly past the finishing post to be crowned winner of the Grand National, the UKs largest horse race. Trained by Tommy Rayson and ridden by Captain Robert Petre at the first true Aintree Grand National race since 1940, after the Second World War, and the last to take place on a Friday, which had been the tradition since 1876.

That weekend “Lovely Cottage” returned home to the small village of Headbourne Worthy, near Winchester. He received a hero’s welcome before settling in for a well-earned rest in the stables at the Manor House where he was housed.

These stables, that were once beautiful and functioning have since remained unused and have fallen into a state of dilapidation. Fortunately, this Grade 2 listed stable block, steeped in poignant historical character and narrative was not forgotten. It has been transformed into an elegant and contemporary 3 bedroom family home by RIBA award winning architects AR Design Studio.

Practice Director, Andy Ramus, discovered this piece of overlooked historical heritage while undertaking a large scale refurbishment at the Manor House and immediately recognised its potential. The team at AR could see past its existing rundown state. There was a clear potential to create a sophisticated, contemporary family home within the historical context of the building and the picturesque Hampshire countryside.

The history and character of the Stable’s was very much a driving force in design and there is a firm belief at AR Design Studio that design constraints and restrictions can often create the most interesting solutions. The concept was to preserve the existing while making any new additions simple and pure in order to let the original character shine. This results in an innovative arrangement of spaces according to the Stable’s existing layout, in order to maintain many of the existing exposed timber interior walls. These were then cleaned, stripped back and refurbished to reveal an exquisite amount of detailing and craftsmanship.

With the existing internal walls brought back to life, the next task was to turn the Stables into a home for the modern family and bring it into the present day. In order to respect the character of the property a clean, contemporary and neutral approach was taken to the rest of the renovation which juxtaposes perfectly with the original timber walls, allowing them to stand out as pieces of art against a beautifully simple contemporary backdrop. Many of the existing features were refurbished and re-purposed for use in the home environment; the original horse troughs were cleaned and converted for use as sink basins, the old horse ties act as towel rings in the bathrooms and original doors are preserved where possible to give a sense of real period character.

The Stables benefits from 3 large double bedrooms, with 2 en suite rooms to accompany a spacious family bathroom. Being a single storey property with long continuous views, the layout was tailored and split between sleeping and living accommodation with a single constant circulation running through the entire building. The welcoming and spacious open-plan kitchen dining area is conveniently located at the heart of the home, leading into the light and roomy lounge which benefits from full height glazed doors that open out onto the sleepy village setting.

The entire property is super insulated, and the heated polished concrete floor throughout provides a functional uniformity to the spaces as well as recounting the Stable’s agricultural history. New windows and roof lights fitted throughout give the whole place a warm, bright and clean feel; creating an excellent environment as a backdrop for a family home.

The finished Stables is completely transformed from its existing dilapidated condition and is now a perfectly working family home, bursting with contemporary style juxtaposed against delightful period character.

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The building will consist of six apartments on a sloping site of just 340m2. The location, formerly a single story St John’s Ambulance Association site, is a very prominent position on the Dartmouth waterfront.

The proposal will incorporate abstract forms that have been designed to reflect the great tradition of sailing in the area, and to create a dynamic relationship between the building and its setting.  This is made evident by a low level plinth accentuating the sail-like aesthetic, allowing the building to appear as if it is floating gracefully above the ground.

The divided ground floor sits well above street level at one end, due to flood risk potential meaning any habitable room should sit above 5.1m AOD. This also gives privacy to the lowest of the apartments in the building; a spacious three bedroom. The first and second floors each consist of one two-bedroom and one three-bedroom apartment. They are both spatially generous with large open plan living areas and private balconies.

The top floor is entirely comprised of a three-bedroom penthouse apartment, which is sympathetically set back from the street to reduce the apparent height of the building.

The large open balconies and glazed openings provide occupants with fantastic views over the estuary and beyond, whilst the long, northern façade has been scaled to match the size and visual rhythm of the street and local vernacular.

For more information please visit:

www.ardesignstudio.co.uk/portfolio/dartmouth

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This amazing British built and designed machine, is the biggest all terrain operational hexapod robot in the world. Powered by a 2.2 litre turbo diesel engine this magnificent walking machine stands at an impressive 2.8 metre high and 5 metres wide, weighing in at just under 2 tonnes, and can be either piloted or remotely controlled via a Wi-Fi link

Click here to see the Mantis for the first time in a short film by Oscar Wright…

… And for more information on this superb machine visit:

http://www.mantisrobot.com/

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www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/style/homes_and_gardens/My_Place/article1236743.ece

Or alternatively…

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Very pleased to announce the Lighthouse 65 has won ‘The Federation of Master Builders New Build Award’, for demonstrating a strong commitment to building quality new contemporary homes.

The award celebrates the best new buildings and the builders that built them across a wide range of categories, including new housing, large and small renovation projects, energy efficiency and commercial construction.

For more information please visit:

www.ardesignstudio.co.uk/portfolio/lighthouse-65

www.fmb.org.uk/events/master-builder-of-the-year/national-winners-dgm/category-1-national-winner

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The Award:

The RICS Awards showcase the most inspirational regional initiatives and developments in land, property, construction and the environment.

Shortlisted:

Abbots Way – Residential Category

Lighthouse 65 – Residential Category

Abbots Way:

Abbots Way is a stunning five bedroom house, bordered by mature trees and a small lake. This spectacular house creates feelings of ultimate relaxation and privacy, whilst its contemporary design juxtaposes superbly with its beautifully rural location.

The site is accessed via a private forest lane. Its overtly linear approach extends into the plot and creates the conceptual main axis. A second axis, perpendicular to the former, intersects and leads towards a hot tub and the lake. These axes are defined by timber paths and large stone walls that begin in the garden and run through the house and out the other side. The walls continue through the plot, to link a further a separate office and gym space at the bottom of the garden…

Lighthouse 65:

The Lighthouse 65 is a super insulated, luxury 3 bedroom house sitting in a beautiful water side location enjoying stunning views of the Solent and the Isle of Wight.

The site is enclosed between two neighboring buildings and a 7m high embankment to the north; of which pavement and street access sits at the top. This access, to the roof level of the property, and the one-directional view over the beach, English Channel and Isle of Wight to the south, has led to an interesting design which takes inspiration from traditional beach pavilions such as the De La Warr in Bexhill a little further along the coast…

Winners to be announced at the RICS South East Awards ceremony on the 16 May.

For more information on both projects please visit ardesignstudio.co.uk/portfolio-category/new-builds

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The Carbon Smart Winchester Certification Programme recognises and promotes organisations of all types and sizes that have taken clear practical action to improve their environmental performance.

More information can be found on www.carbonsmart.co.uk

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