Development of seven contemporary 1- and 2-bedroom flats on a tight infill site near the centre of Winchester.
The site was home to a collection of Victorian buildings, which were retained along the street frontage and converted for residential use. At the rear, a two-storey flat roof extension with associated bin and cycle stores wraps around the perimeter retaining walls of the courtyard, which is dug into the hillside. A lightweight steel and timber frame was chosen due to access restrictions and a need to clarify site levels while providing adequate screening. This construction technique was adopted as the buildings design language.
The construction works were undertaken by the Clydesdale Group Ltd. During the construction phase, a unique collection of Victorian clay pipe kilns were found on made-up ground to the rear (hence the name). These were recorded by the archaeologist and re-covered. The existing Victorian buildings fronting the street were found to be in poor condition and had to be substantially rebuilt. The team also had to overcome complex drainage, structural and access issues during the build.
However, we are pleased to say that the end result is a spectacular piece of contemporary architecture in a unique central Winchester setting.
