A bespoke riverside home reimagines sloping terrain and views, blending timber, brick, and careful engineering into a striking sculptural architecture.
A bespoke riverside home reimagines sloping terrain and views, blending timber, brick, and careful engineering into a striking sculptural architecture.
Ferry House, a replacement dwelling near Salisbury, sits above the River Avon with sweeping views towards Salisbury Cathedral. The home comprises three wings radiating from a central hub. From the approach, it reads as a single-storey pavilion; from the rear, a dramatic two-level façade is revealed. Clad in timber above a grey brick plinth, the structure harmonises with its wooded setting while celebrating craftsmanship and proportion.
AWA provided full structural and civil design services, developing a geometrically complex steel frame to achieve the vaulted ceilings, expansive openings and slender rooflines of the three wings. Reinforced concrete retaining walls and substructures stabilised the steep terrain, while 3D Revit modelling ensured precision across intricate geometries. Sustainability was a key consideration, integrating passive solar design, natural ventilation, high levels of insulation and an air-source heat pump.
AWA worked closely with the architect, contractor Matrod Frampton and the landscape architect to overcome restricted access, variable ground conditions and sensitive tree protection requirements. Ferry House received a 2025 RIBA South West & Wessex Award, showcasing engineering excellence and architectural ambition united within a truly exceptional home.
AWA Consulting Engineers is a structural, civil, and marine engineering consultancy established in 1987, with a hard-won but deserved reputation for delivering excellence in our profession.
Our philosophy is simple: we put people first. This has resulted in a high number of repeat clients and an impressive track record of successful award-winning projects. We are proud to be professional, and approachable; we believe this makes us the ideal partner for your project.
AWA has technical teams in our offices located in Romsey, Hampshire and Bath, Somerset. We deliver services to clients typically across the South, South East and South West.
Our team includes both chartered structural engineers and chartered civil engineers committed to continuous professional development ensuring you benefit from up to date industry expertise, whatever your project entails.
To find out more about how AWA Consulting Engineers can help with your project, get in touch today. Email mail@awaengineers.com and one of the team will be in touch. Alternatively, call 01794 524447 to speak to a member of our team.
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