info
/
1
2
3
4
·
·
·
·
Chartered Architects in Winchester, Hampshire.
×
Signal House, Old Station Approach, Winchester, Hampshire
This unusual contemporary dwelling was created above four car parking spaces within the centre of Winchester for a local developer.
All the accommodation is on the first floor and provides the equivalent of a one-bedroom apartment, with the loss of only a single parking space.
Its design and appearance respond to the considerable site constraints, which included party wall issues, overshadowing, overlooking, an electricity substation, a grade II listed public house, and the need to preserve parking.
Following a thorough site analysis, light buff brick and zinc were chosen for the first-floor elements, which oversail the recessed ground-floor entrance and bin store, which are clad in contrasting dark brick and dark-stained timber. Experimentation showed that the materials respond well to the surrounding context, allowing the design details to stand out and the first-floor mass to float above street level.
Overall, it is a unique and creative solution to promote sustainable city centre living that maximises the development potential of underutilised ‘brownfield’ land without negatively impacting the existing infrastructure, contextual relationship, and character of the area.