The Crow's Nest

AR Design Studio was approached to extend a South Coast cliff top holiday home. Concerns about land movement and fractures on the existing property prompted a new build instead.
The idea of movement and fracturing formed the backbone of the concept. This resulted in a traditional cabin-like-form that splits, twists and rotates, resulting in four pods. The outcome is a beautifully haphazard rough-sawn larch clad house that silhouettes against the wooded backdrop.
Working closely with engineers Eckersley O’Callaghan, an imaginative structural solution was proposed to prevent future failure. A concrete slab was built into the ground, a series of dwarf walls were then built on top of it. A floating structural frame was then laid on top of the walls acting as an adjustable raft in case of future movement. Beneath the frame are specific places for mechanical jacks to be positioned so that the house can be securely re-levelled.

AR Design Studio is an award-winning RIBA certified contemporary architectural practice, based in Winchester, Hampshire, specialising in elegant modern new homes, extensions, renovations and multi-plot developments.

2019 - Best of Houzz 2019! - Winner

2018 - George Clarke Medal - Shortlist - Farmer’s House

2018 – RIBA South East Award Winner – The Black House

2018 - Manser Medal - Shortlist - The Black House

2018 - ABB Leaf Awards - Shortlist - The Black House

2018 - AJ Architecture Awards - Shortlist - The Black House

2018 - London Construction Awards - Shortlist - The Black House

2018 - AIA UK Awards - Shortlist - The Black House

2018 - RIBA Grand Designs House of the Year - Shortlist - The Black House

2018 - Dezeen Awards - Longlist - Crow’s Nest

2018 - British Home Awards - Shortlist - Farmer’s House + The Black House

2018 - AJ Retrofit Awards - Shortlist - Farmer’s House

London Construction Awards - Shortlist - Farmer’s House

2018 – Architect of the Year Awards – Finalist

2018 - RICS Awards - Shortlist - Crow’s Nest + The Black House

2017 – American Architecture Prize Winners – Crow’s Nest + Black House

2017 – UK Property Awards – Architecture Single Residence SW, Winner

2017 – Wood Awards – Private Residence, Shortlisted

2017 – ABB Leaf Awards – Residential Single, Shortlisted

2017 – SHIFT Awards – Best New Build Project, Shortlisted

2017 – Structural Awards – Extreme Conditions, Shortlisted

2017 – Sunday Times British Home Awards – Shortlisted

2017 – Winchester Business Awards, Shortlisted

2017 – RIBA South West Award, Shortlisted

2017 – Best of Houzz

2016 – Retrofit Awards, Finalist

2015 – Surface Design Awards – Temporary Structure Category, Winner

2014 – The Sunday Times British Homes Awards: Best One-Off House

2013 – City of Winchester Trust Design Awards: Commendation

2013 – AJ Retrofit Awards 2013, Heritage Category, Shortlisted

2013 – AJ Retrofit Awards 2013, House pre-1945 Category, Shortlisted

2013 – RICS Awards Runner-Up: Lighthouse 65

2013 – RICS Awards Shortlisted: Abbots Way

2013 – Federation of Master Builders New Build Award: Lighthouse 65

2013 – Best Of Houzz: Design Category