Friends House Hampshire

The cottage redefined

The cottage redefined

In the rolling hills of the English county of Hampshire lies an elongated, puristic building. With its facade of black wood, plenty of glass and a light interior, it completely redefines the traditional cottage to become an inviting, open living environment.

Architecture

AMPS Arquitectura & Diseño

http://www.amps.es/

System integrator

Channel Smart Buildings Limited

http://www.channelsmartbuildings.com

Photographer

Miguel de Guzmán

http://www.imagensubliminal.com/

Location

Hampshire, England

Embedded in nature and history

In the village of Bentworth, the Spanish architectural practice AMPS Arquitectura & Diseño had the task of building a modern residential building adjacent to an existing farmhouse. The planners designed a slender building with a gabled roof that reinterprets the traditional form of a cottage. It takes up the typical local forms and the building material of dark wood – and becomes something new.

FriendsHouse Hampshire haus von aussen
The house opens up in all directions and creates exterior islands. (Photo: Miguel de Guzmán)

Clear, consistent, efficient

The architects chose pre-produced cross-laminated timber elements as the construction method. The double-shell facade is characterised by black-coated Accoya wood on the outside, as is the roof. In combination with large window elements and the central living room component, which protrudes from the building to the south, a building is created which opens up into the green landscape at every opportunity, yet is otherwise unobtrusive with its simple design.

FriendsHouse_Hampshire Inneneinrichtung Wohnzimmer
Black outside, friendly inside: chestnut wood and light-coloured floors in the living area (Photo: Miguel de Guzmán)

Warm colours and wide views

The interiors are in stark contrast to the dark perimeter. The rooms are characterised by warm chestnut wood, light sand lime brickwork and a Mortex mineral floor. Two master bedrooms are located at the far ends of the house, and between them are the children’s rooms with playful sleeping platforms and adventure environments. The entire interior is stylish, minimalist and sustainable, with building services designed for maximum efficiency. This includes the use of selected Gira products, such as E2 pure white glossy, pushbutton sensor 3, Gira G1 and Gira HomeServer. This is how the Spanish have skilfully redefined the idea of a cottage in the heart of England.

FriendsHouse_Hampshire Kinderzimmer
Children's rooms with experience value – and always with a strong connection to the landscape. (Photo: Miguel de Guzmán)

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