* Residential Architecture: Manor House Stables by AR Design Studio

Residential Architecture: Manor House Stables by 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..That weekend “Lovely Cottage” returned home to the small village of Headbourne Worthy, Winchester, UK. 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. 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..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..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. 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..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. 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..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. 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. 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..”  Lovely contemporary transformation; extensive glazing, natural light; contextual and historical sensibility; interesting interior volumes; exquisite details..

See our other posts on homes by AR Design Studio:

• Residential Architecture: Abbots Way House by AR Design Studio
• Residential Architecture: Abbots Way House by AR Design Studio
• Residential Architecture: Lighthouse 65 by AR Design Studio

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image: © Martin Gardner; article: “Manor House Stables / AR Design Studio” 17 Apr 2013. ArchDaily

* Residential Architecture: Sauna Box by Castor Canadensis – Shipping Container Transformed into a Sauna

Residential Architecture: Sauna Box by Castor Canadensis – Shipping Container Transformed into a Sauna: “..canadian design studio castor canadensis have re-envisioned a common shipping container with more of a luxurious quality – the ‘sauna box’ – and is now available for purchase at the modest price of $41,000 (US). the ‘sauna box’ was created as a traditional wood-burning steam bath to embody multiple features – it is water tight; can be moved to any location; needs very little site preparation; has a wood fired stove and is also powered by solar panels. each unit is site specific and custom built with an outer skin fabricated from corten steel – a material that is known for enduring saltwater. the sculptural aesthetic evident throughout the design is continued to the interior with hand-made objects such as carved stone stools, stone sink, as well as wood and metal elements. the ‘box’ comes also standard with ipod stereo, electric guitar hook-up, castor-designed stool, magnetic truck light and also bronze antlers!..”  Fabulous!  Toasty!

See our posts on two other saunas:

• Residential Architecture: Sauna by Formløs Architecture
• Residential Architecture: One+ Sauna House by Add a Room

image: castor canadensis; article: Designboom

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* Residential Architecture: Broom Way Residence by Nonzero Architecture

Residential Architecture: Broom Way Residence by Nonzero Architecture: “..Having lived in the historic Brentwood, California, neighborhood for a decade and well aware of its unique quality, the owners had planned to expand their 1950’s house. Demolishing the unremarkable structure and building from ground up ultimately turned out to be the better solution. The resulting 4,200 square foot residence was completed in September 2011..Inspired by strict regulations demanding a mid-century ideal of humane modernism and appreciative of its values, the design is a contemporary interpretation and celebration of its inherent qualities, with an added strong focus on sustainability ..A steep down-slope site above a wooded canyon required a low profile from the street and the careful positioning of the volumes to preserve views, while making the comparably large home appear modestly scaled in keeping with the neighborhood..The massing concept consists of a simple large open glass volume for the shared living spaces, wrapped around three-dimensionaly by a solid band of smaller rooms that also maintain the owner’s privacy from the street. Closely integrated into the historic surroundings, the house features a typical transparent clerestory above the opaque walls and a floating flat roof with exposed steel beams..The desired inside-outside relationships, openness and attention to craft and detailing were achieved with a glazed steel post-and-beam structure. The concrete retaining walls are left exposed where possible and contrast with the steel and the sustainably harvested tropical hardwood siding..Photovoltaic glass panels power the house and offer a serene dappled light on the terrace while, along with deep roof overhangs, they help shade it. Natural ventilation is facilitated and encouraged through the placement of operable windows and folding glass walls, opening to the large deck, along the path of the prevailing breezes..Throughout the house, views of the canyon, the trees and the distant ocean and shoreline are carefully framed for maximum enjoyment as well as privacy. Spaces are extended outward and the surrounding landscape is continually incorporated into the design. The entry sequence leads through the solid perimeter band of rooms, through a glazed door sheltered by a skylight, into the large space, which finally opens up dramatically after one passes behind the freestanding kitchen volume..Built-in mahogany cabinets and shelves, including a fully rotating shelf wall separating a study and offering a choice between bookshelves and a TV, help to keep the tall space open and uncluttered..Roof beams from the old house were repurposed as steps and benches throughout and complement the largely drought-resistant landscaping..”  Extensive glazing, natural light, views; modest street-side elevation; clerestory windows; interesting form, interior volumes, details; solar energy, sustainability..

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image: © Juergen Nogai; article: “Broom Way Residence / Nonzero Architecture” 23 Nov 2012. ArchDaily. <http://www.archdaily.com/297019&gt;

* Architecture: Port House by Zaha Hadid Architects

Architecture: Port House by Zaha Hadid Architects: “..The leading British architect Zaha Hadid gave the official order to begin construction work on Port House, the new headquarters for Antwerp Port Authority on the Kattendijk dock. The order was given in the presence of the Flemish ministers Hilde Crevits and Geert Bourgeois, port alderman Marc Van Peel and Port Authority CEO Eddy Bruyninckx. Once the new headquarters is handed over in 2015 the Port Authority will overcome the urgent shortage of space in its present headquarters. But beyond that the new Port House will stand as a symbolic gateway to the port area. The actual construction work will start on 1 October 2012 and will take 33 calendar months..The design: The new Port House is a two-part design, consisting of a dynamic beam-shaped structure raised above the former fire station, a listed building which is being restored and given a dramatic new role. The two components make the Port House a volumetric composition that offers breathtaking views across the city and its port. The superstructure façade is made up of glass triangles, each slightly rotated with respect to each other, producing a constantly changing play of reflected light. The unusual design also poses a challenge for the contractors who will do the actual building work. For example, the subcontractor responsible for the 1500-tonne steel structure, Victor Buyck Steel Construction, has opted to build it in a modular way in six large parts. These will be constructed in workshops in Wondelgem and carried to Antwerp by barge..Facilities: The new building will provide a workplace for some 500 Port Authority employees. Some of the landscape offices and meeting rooms will be housed in the existing building, the former fire station. These areas will be accessed from the central atrium. There are also open-plan offices and meeting rooms within the new volume, but in addition there will be an auditorium and a company restaurant with a panoramic view. Staff and visitors will access this part by panoramic lifts. Flemish minister Geert Bourgeois, responsible for Real Estate Heritage, is full of admiration for the efforts made by the Port Authority to preserve and repurpose the 90-year-old fire station, giving it a new future while continuing to serve the public and the port. “The project largely respects the material integrity of this historic building,” he declared. The minister has granted a subsidy of 2.1 million euros for restoration of the fire station..Connection between city and port: “With the new Port House we have given a face to the world-class port that Antwerp undoubtedly is. With its dynamic, ambitious and innovative design it stands as a symbol for our port,” Van Peel continued. “From the new buildiong visitors will have a truly impressive view over the city as well as the port, so further strengthening the dialogue between the people of Anwerp and their port.” Flemish minister of Transport & Public Works Hilde Crevits added: “The new Port House designed by Zaha Hadid will be a proud landmark for Antwerp. The striking design will give Antwerp a wonderful architectural jewel that matches its position and importance as a world port. Along with the MAS museum and the new Port House, the new Antwerp Coordination Center will further consolidate this position. In functional terms the new coordination centre will bring together all the actors in the chain of shipping traffic management physically together on a single platform, while the building itself designed by the architectural firm of Neutelings-Riedijk will also be distinctive. Together, these three landmarks will bind the city and the port close together.”..”

See some of our other posts on work by Zaha Hadid Architects:

• Architecture: Pierres Vives by Zaha Hadid Architects
• Architecture + Design: Z Boat by Zaha Hadid Architects
• Architecture: Awards: Zaha Hadid’s Riverside Museum wins European Museum Academy Micheletti Award 2012
• Architecture: Galaxy Soho by Zaha Hadid Architects

image: © Zaha Hadid Architects; article: Arthitectural

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