ArchShowcase 
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. Glass House in Winchester, England by AR Design StudioSeptember 1st, 2013 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: AR Design Studio It is not every day that a body is found buried on your building site, but on a summer’s morning in 2012 this is exactly what happened while builders were laying foundations for RIBA award-winning architects AR Design Studio’s latest project. By 6pm they had found another 2. 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.  Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner
 Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner 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.  Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner 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.  Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner 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.  Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner 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. 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.  Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner 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.  Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner 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.  Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner 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  Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner 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.  Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner AR Design Studio’s Director Andy Ramus is a 41 year old Architect, born in London and trained at Plymouth School of Architecture under the eminent Professor Adrian Gale. In 2000 he completed his education at the AA in London. In 2001, after 5 years working in London, he established his own practice and is now based in Hampshire. AR Design Studio is a RIBA chartered architectural practice based in Winchester, Hampshire, specialising in the delivery of elegant and imaginative contemporary architectural solutions.  Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner With a comprehensive knowledge of planning, AR Design Studio has built a stunning portfolio of completed residential projects from existing home extensions and re-modelling to new-builds and multi-plot developments. It is also a specialist designer of waterfront homes with a deep understanding of how to fully experience the light, sound and atmosphere water creates.  Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner The studio’s design philosophy is to understand the client’s needs and requirements through listening, interpreting and translating the design brief into clear objectives. We aim to offer an innovative design approach that exceeds expectations, yet remain achievable. We avoid a prescriptive style of architecture, rather taking inspiration from the client and the site. However, our work is always characterised by a clean, contemporary, and eco-friendly approach.  Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner AR Design Studio’s architectural expertise and flair has been continuously recognised by winning a number of prestigious industry awards such as the RIBA Downland Award 2012, the Fareham Society Design Award 2012, the Federation of Master Builders Regional Award 2012, the Best of Houzz Award 2013, the Daily Telegraph Small House of the Year Award 2008. Also, they were a runner-up and shortlisted for the RICS South-East Residential Awards 2013, and shortlisted for the RIBA Downland Award 2010 and the Young Architect of the Year Award 2011. AR Design Studio are also catching the eye of the national media and have been featured on ITV’s Meridian Tonight and featured in the Mail on Sunday, Sunday Times, Sunday Telegraph, Hello and Grand Design magazines.  Image Courtesy © Martin Gardner  Image Courtesy © AR Design Studio  Image Courtesy © AR Design Studio  Image Courtesy © AR Design Studio  Image Courtesy © AR Design Studio
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Tags: England, Winchester Category: House |
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