The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan

Slideshow: this underground house by London studio De Matos Ryan tunnels beneath a listed stone tower in Gloucestershire, England.

The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan

A grass roof slopes up to cover living and utility rooms inside the single-storey building but cuts away at the centre to create a concealed courtyard.

The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan

A corridor leads from the main house into the tower itself, where a games room occupies the ground floor and bedrooms are located on two floors above.

The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan

Glazed walls at the rear of the house face out onto a sunken terrace and swimming pool.

The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan

This is the second project we’ve featured this week in Gloucestershire – see our earlier story about a school with a shiny copper chapel.

The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan

Photography is by Edmund Sumner.

The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan

Here’s some more text from De Matos Ryan:


The Round Tower, Gloucestershire
De Matos Ryan

The Round Tower is a Grade II Listed folly, which had been reduced to ruin by years of neglect and fire.

The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan

Located on the crest of a hill overlooking Siddington Village, the exposed site is visually integral to the setting of this listed structure.

The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan

Click above for larger image

As such the design approach maintains the open relationship with the surrounding agricultural landscape by developing a discreet and substantial underground extension to the tower.

The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan

Click above for larger image

This underground extension provides the main open plan living spaces and is lit by both a central open sunken courtyard and a lateral ‘landscape scoop’ concealing the new swimming pool and associated sun terraces from public view.

The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan

Click above for larger image

The listed tower remains clearly the dominant structure, providing the front door to the 4 bedroom family house and the means of vertical circulation. It is also the visual focus of the main sunken courtyard garden.

The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan

Click above for larger image

The restored tower provides additional accommodation and a roof terrace for the enjoyment of the panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan

Click above for larger image

A new detached building adjacent to the entrance to the site, provides garaging and an additional guest studio.

The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan

Click above for larger image

The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan

Click above for larger image

The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan

Click above for larger image

All Saints’ Academy by Nicholas Hare Architects

All Saints' Academy by Nicholas Hare Architects

A shiny copper chapel hovers above the entrance to this Catholic school in Gloucestershire, England, by London studio Nicholas Hare Architects.

All Saints' Academy by Nicholas Hare Architects

The academy accommodates a secondary school and a sixth form college, both accessed through a curved atrium with a three-storey-high glazed facade.

All Saints' Academy by Nicholas Hare Architects

A winding staircase connects the ground floor reception with two overlooking galleries, which stretch along the length of the atrium and lead to classrooms in three branching wings.

All Saints' Academy by Nicholas Hare Architects

Each floor features walls painted in a different colour to help students and visitors get to know their way around.

All Saints' Academy by Nicholas Hare Architects

Academies are a new kind of state-maintained but independently-run school in the UK – check out the Zaha Hadid-designed academy in south London that won the Stirling Prize last year.

All Saints' Academy by Nicholas Hare Architects

Photography is by Hufton + Crow.

All Saints' Academy by Nicholas Hare Architects

Here’s some more information from Nicholas Hare Architects:


All Saints’ Academy is a church school for the community. The academy is sponsored by the Clifton RC Diocese and the Gloucester C of E Diocese. It provides secondary education for 900 pupils and 250 sixth formers.

All Saints' Academy by Nicholas Hare Architects

The heart of the new building is its entrance atrium. The glazed atrium forms a focus for community activity. Its vibrant space is dominated by a sculptural stair which links the curved galleries at each level.

All Saints' Academy by Nicholas Hare Architects

The copper-clad form of the chapel stands at one end, above the entrance.

All Saints' Academy by Nicholas Hare Architects

The learning resource centre, assembly hall and dining area are all reached directly from the atrium.

All Saints' Academy by Nicholas Hare Architects

The galleries lead to three radiating learning wings providing most of the classroom accommodation.

All Saints' Academy by Nicholas Hare Architects

Staff spaces are placed along the galleries so that they form a threshold to the more private learning wings.

All Saints' Academy by Nicholas Hare Architects

At ground level large windows provide views into the wings of display areas for the celebration of students’ work.

All Saints' Academy by Nicholas Hare Architects

Externally, the areas around the building provide many opportunities that encourage outdoor learning.

All Saints' Academy by Nicholas Hare Architects

Click above for larger image