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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Manor House Stables in Winchester, UK by AR Design StudioApril 20th, 2013 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: AR Design Studio 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.  Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner
 Before : Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner 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.  Before : Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner 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.  Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner 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.  Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner 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.  Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner 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.  Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner 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.  Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner 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.  Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner 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.  Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner 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.  Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner 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.  Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner  Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner  Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner  Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner  Section : Image courtesy AR Design Studio  Plans : Image courtesy AR Design Studio  Elevations : Image courtesy AR Design Studio
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Tags: UK, Winchester Categories: Horse Stable, House, Residential |
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