Winchester, United Kingdom
AR Design Studio has designed and constructed a compact and self-build ancillary guest accommodation space, made of timber, next to a client’s country house, inside the foresty area of Winchester, UK.
Located between the edge of woodland and a stream, the Climber’s Cabin was completed during the lockdowns which allowed much of the work to be carried out by the client with support from friends.
“The project was designed as a self-build from the ground up,” explains the studio.
“A simple structural plan informed the design and ensured the building could be feasibly assembled by a small team.”
“The traditional building method of assembling trusses horizontally, then hoisting them upright negated the need for heavy machinery and was one of the only ways the self-builders could achieve the height they wanted,” the studio continues.
At first, the plan was wo to design a 25sqm space that can accomodate up to four people. The cabin started out as a 6x4m box which was then transformed in a pragmatic manner to maximize the available floor area.
The roof was pitched in order to make space for a mezzanine.
Then the volume was increased on one side to provide space for storage without compromising floor space.
Finally, the front truss was rotated towards the northwest in order to create a trap for the late evening sun and allow for a small sheltered terrace.
A large terrace wraps around the side of the cabin for use during the warmer months.
An adaptable living space to the front takes advantage of the large picture window while at the rear there are two children’s bunks with a double bed over at the mezzanine level.
The use of glass windows mirrors the cabin’s earthy environment, with deciduous trees and a stream reflected in the large picture window fixed between the locally-sourced cedar shingles.
Smaller windows provide framed views of the woodland from the sleeping spaces.
The cabin is constructed around four A-Frame trusses that have been fabricated off-site and erected in a similar fashion to a barn raising, resting atop simple pad foundations and brick piers.
Upcycled scaffold boards form the interior finishes while locally sourced cedar shingles clad the exterior.
Between is a thick layer of insulation, ensuring that the cabin remains warm all year round and minimizing its heating requirements.
This sustainable approach to construction gives a very natural texture to the building and emphasizes the relationship with the surrounding woodlands.
The result is a tranquil space that makes use of natural materials, glass, and its context to create a real sense of connection to the surrounding woodlands and provide a small escape from the everyday.
Project: The Climber’s Cabin
Architects: AR Design Studio LTD
Client: Private
Photographers: Martin Gardner
