A striking country residence uniting Palladian symmetry, modern materials, and structural ingenuity to create a timeless yet contemporary family home
A striking country residence uniting Palladian symmetry, modern materials, and structural ingenuity to create a timeless yet contemporary family home
Freefolk House is a new-build country estate in Laverstoke, Hampshire, designed by Morse Webb Architects and inspired by Palladian architecture. The grand design features a central core expressed in the Asiatic Ionic order, flanked by single-storey wings that end in pavilions housing a swimming pool and garaging. AWA were appointed to deliver full structural services — from calculations and drawings to detailed design — ensuring the architectural vision was realised with precision. Close collaboration with Morse Webb and RW Armstrong was key to balancing classical elegance with modern construction methods.
AWA provided the full structural frame, substructure, and foundations for the house, carport, and plant room. The tall central hall and pavilion roof required careful stability design, while an oval staircase demanded precise load-path analysis. After demolishing a 1960s cottage, excavation reached virgin soil to establish a solid foundation. A hybrid system — steel frame for strength, timber roof trusses for warmth, and metal stud inner leaf supporting stone cladding — achieved the desired balance between heritage appearance and structural performance.
Completed on schedule, Freefolk House stands as a defining South Downs residence, uniting classical form with contemporary engineering. Through technical expertise and collaboration, AWA delivered a refined, enduring home that celebrates the harmony between structure and design.
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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