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 space were 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, being situated at 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 offers 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.

AR Design Studio is an RIBA chartered architects practice, based in Winchester, Hampshire, specialising in elegant and imaginative contemporary new homes, extensions, renovations and multi-plot developments. AR Design Studio’s architectural expertise and flair has been recognised 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

Architect
AR Design Studio
Calpe House
20 Little Minster Street
Winchester
SO23 9HB, UK www.ardesignstudio.co.uk
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