The Seventies House

: Winchester

The Seventies House is a thoughtful and elegant reimagining of a mid-century home in Winchester, brought back to life by the award-winning AR Design Studio. Once vibrant, the property had fallen into disrepair after sitting empty for several years. The garden, originally created by the head of the local horticultural society, had become overgrown, hiding the home’s potential behind brambles and wild growth.

AR’s brief was twofold: restore the house and garden to their former charm, and add a contemporary extension that could meet the needs of modern family life while celebrating the property’s stunning, mature setting. The result is a long, asymmetric rear extension that gently contrasts with the bold character of the original 1970s structure. A timber canopy reaches westward, providing shelter and softening the building’s lines. Inside, a generous open-plan kitchen, living and dining space opens up to the garden through expansive sliding glazing, filling the home with light and offering uninterrupted views. The interiors are pared-back and calm, with clean lines and a neutral palette that place the focus firmly on the surrounding landscape. Timber finishes and carefully selected furnishings nod to the home’s mid-century roots, creating a seamless blend of old and new. Outside, the garden has been lovingly restored. The original rockery has been relocated to make way for the extension, with new planting completing the transformation. The Seventies House is a quiet, confident celebration of character, context, and craft.