Architect
AR Design Studio
Calpe House
20 Little Minster Street
Winchester
SO23 9HB, UK
Tweets by ARDesign_Studio
https://www.instagram.com/ardesignstudio/

Size + Scope
Total: GIA 367sqm
Estimated Project Value: Undisclosed

Contractors and Suppliers
Structural Engineer: Eckersley O’Callaghan

Photographer: Martin Gardner

About AR Design Studio

AR Design Studio is a RIBA chartered architects practice, based in Winchester, Hampshire, specializing in elegant and imaginative contemporary new homes, extensions, renovations, and multi-plot developments.

AR Design Studio’s architectural expertise and flair have been recognized by winning a number of prestigious industry awards including the UK Property Awards 2019-2020, Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) South East 2018 Award, and the RIBA South West 2017 Award, in addition to being longlisted for Grand Designs House of the Year Award 2018. With a comprehensive knowledge of planning, AR Design Studio has built a stunning portfolio of bespoke residential projects.

For further information contact info@ardesignstudio.co.uk

This is far-off view of the whole house and its surrounding landscape with tall trees on both sides and a winding walkway up a hill to the house.

The house is a combination of concrete, glass walls and wooden panels that combine to create a unique aesthetic.

This is a view of the large great room from the vantage of the kitchen island with a dark countertop to match the dining area chairs on the far side.

This is a close look at the indoor balcony and staircase of the house with glass railings to pair with the surrounding glass walls of the house.

The bathroom has modern floating white vanity and toilet with a half-wall of glass.

This other bathroom has the same deisgn with its floating vanity and toilet across from the large bathtub. These are then complemented by the surrounding light gray tones.

This is a balcony fitted with an outdoor dining set and complemented by the scenery of the landscape and the glass railings.

This is an aerial view of the property showcasing the glass house on top of a small hill that is festooned with tall trees.

This is a far-off view of the property where you can barely see the house amongst a forest of tall trees.

This is an illustration of the side elevation of the house that also includes the surrounding landscape.

This is the floor plan for the ground floor with various sections of the house like the dining and kitchen.

This is the lower ground floor plan with the sections like bedrooms and bathrooms.

This is the upper level floor plan with the primary bedroom.

This is an illustration of the landscape leading up to the house.

This illustration points out the direction of the winding walkway up the hill to the house.

This illustrates that the design of the house pairs with the zigzag lines of the walkway up the hill.

The initial designs of the house are placed into the flow of directions.

The foundation structure of the concrete came first with its shape.

And then came the wooden panels as indicated by the shaded areas. The blanck areas are fitted with glass walls.

Folding House is a private, bespoke new build house located in Ringwood completed by award-winning Winchester based architects AR Design Studio.

This site is bordered by mature trees and boasts stunning views of the surrounding landscape. A steep 18m slope down to the bank of the River Avon completes the aperture and provided the basis for AR Design Studio’s intervention. The design team’s vision called upon the natural topography in its response to the site.

The house steps down the hill, with a folded ribbon connecting each floor and linking the entrance of the site down to the riverfront. Solid timber boxes were inserted in between this ribbon where private spaces where required, with the remaining space offering open plan living with a connection to the expansive balconies and stunning views beyond.

The top floor of the house is situated at the entrance level, contains the majority of the open-plan living spaces, while the middle floor accommodates bedrooms. The lower ground floor provides guest accommodation and further living spaces connected to the lower outside space to the rear. A central atrium and staircase offer a connection between each floor, leading occupants from the front door at the top of the site down through the house and onto the garden. Each level of the building features outdoor terrace spaces to allow for outdoor living and a connection to the surrounding landscape.

The internal finishes of each room are bright and clean, allowing light to flood throughout the building while maintaining the view of the outdoors as the focal point of each space. Timber cladding runs through the building, softening the internal spaces and providing a relationship to the verdant surroundings. A light grey tile runs seamlessly between indoors and out, giving definition to the ribbon as it folds down the site.