New build & bespoke homes.
As architects in Winchester, we design bespoke new builds, self-builds and replacement dwellings across Winchester, Hampshire and the South Downs (and further afield, for the right project).
The site, the light, the plan and the interiors are resolved together – into a home that is unquestionably yours, and timeless enough to outlast every trend.
Why work with us?
We don’t impose a signature style.
We translate the way you live into an enduring home that is very special and designed around how you live.- We understand difficult sites.
Sensitive landscapes, conservation areas, replacement dwellings, plots near listed buildings – we handle the applications on your behalf. - One studio, the whole house.
Architecture, interiors, lighting and landscape are considered together – nothing is bolted on later. To us, it’s the only way to unlock the true potential of a project.
We believe that a bespoke home should be designed around you and your way of living.
Whether it’s a self-build home designed to grow with your family or a private retreat that offers sanctuary – we guide each project with thoughtfulness, care and attention.
Our three-stage process provides an overarching strategy behind the design.
Every project is different – but the path through it needn’t be a mystery. We help manage the complexities of planning, construction and budget.
Design
RIBA STAGES 00 – 03
We start with an appraisal: likely cost, VAT savings, professional fees, which surveys you need – and how likely this is to get consent. We don’t start drawing until you have the right information to make an informed decision.
Where it’s finely balanced, we talk to the conservation officer before anything is formally submitted. Then, together, we develop the concept, layout, materials and joinery into something you love, tested against your budget as it goes. We finish by submitting the listed building consent and planning applications on your behalf.
Detail
RIBA STAGE 04
This is where the decisions that matter most get made – grout colours, hinges, how new meets old, which fabric stays, where services run, how one floor finish meets another.
We prepare the construction drawings, joinery details, lighting layouts and finishes schedules, along with the building regulations application. We run the tender with vetted builders who’ve worked on listed buildings, all pricing the same information – then put the building contract in place before anyone starts work.
Build
RIBA STAGES 05 – 06
Once you’re on site, Tim & Zofia are standing in the mud with you; visiting regularly, inspecting the work, issuing instructions, and valuing what’s actually been built so you only pay for work that has been completed.
Old buildings hold surprises once they’re opened up, we provide solutions to your chosen contractor during the works. You’ll hear from us every Friday, whether or not there’s news. Then the last of it – snagging, the furniture and finishes going in.
We'd be delighted to answer your questions.
Haven’t bought the plot yet? That’s often the best time to talk. We carry out appraisals and feasibility studies before you commit – so you know what is realistic, and roughly what it will cost, before you exchange.
We talk about budget from day one, and design towards what you actually want to spend.
If you’re dreaming about building your own home, it’s worth talking to us early – we’re a small-batch studio and take on a handful of projects a year.
“ZAHRADA are one of the best architectural practices I have worked with – responsive, creative and very good value despite being super high quality.”
– SIMON RIX, CORNWALL
…a new build in Dorset.
Here's some help if you're just planning your project.
- Guide to building a custom house in Winchester ➞
- Guide to building a new home in the South Downs ➞
- How to find the best builders in Winchester ➞
Tim is a RIBA-chartered architect and Zofia is a BIID-associate interior designer. Many of Hampshire’s best plots sit in national parks, in conservation areas or near listed buildings. We handle the drawings, the applications and the conversations with planners.
FAQs.
How much does it cost to build a house in Hampshire?
It depends on the site, the size and the level of craft – we talk realistic ranges, including professional and survey fees, in our first conversation. One genuine advantage over renovating: the build itself is usually zero-rated for VAT. Our guide to building a custom house in Winchester covers budgets in more detail.
Do I need planning permission for a new build?
Yes – a new home always needs planning permission, and in the South Downs National Park or a conservation area the bar is higher still. We often begin with a pre-application to test the principle before committing to a full design, so you’re not spending money on a scheme the council will struggle to support.
Can you help before we've bought a plot?
Yes – and please ask us early. We carry out plot appraisals and feasibility studies so you understand the planning risk, the buildable envelope and the likely costs before you commit to a purchase.
Do you design the interiors too?
Yes. Architecture and interiors are designed together here, by Tim and Zofia. On a new build it matters even more – lighting, joinery and finishes are designed into the fabric from the very first sketch.
We'd love to hear about your ambitions.
We begin with a relaxed video or phone call to hear your vision, your goals, and your budget. No charge or obligations.
We then visit your home for an in-depth consultation – listening, understanding how you live, and seeing the building for ourselves.
We’ll follow up with a detailed proposal with a clear roadmap for your project – the stages, the approach, and the fees – from first drawings to post-completion celebrations.