Five Elms | AR Design Studio

The existing two storey house at Five Elms does not take advantage of the site’s opportunities and is subject to flooding. The brief required AR Design Studio to embrace and challenge these issues within the protected surroundings of Bosham. The narrative for the scheme came from within the local context, in the form of a Rap-tackle Grade II listed 18th century warehouse, planted in the water of Bosham Quay. This building, typical of its context, uses solid brick plinths to raise the building above water level, protecting and supporting an inhabited timber clad form.

We have translated this rationale to our site where flooding commonly occurs, raising the proposed 300sqm four bedroom house off the ground to allow flooding beneath. From the elevated ground floor, decking steps down to the landscape, whilst from an elevated perspective, the site also hosts uninterrupted views. This in turn has informed the concept of an upside-down house, private rooms inhabiting the solid plinths at ground floor to raise the first floor timber form, its open plan layout and balconies taking advantage of the views overlooking the surrounding farmland.

The concept of the Rap-tackle warehouse was continued through to the material palette, where solid materials of flint and a contemporary linear brick were chosen for the ground floor, supporting the light weight timber first floor form, reflecting the blend of traditional red brick and natural hues in the surrounding area.

As such the proposed house makes use of references and materials found in Bosham itself and across the surrounding countryside, whilst the brief has challenged the design to create a one-off contemporary design, enhancing the architectural distinctiveness of the area.