Small-scale sustainable architecture from Richmond Bell Architects
Small-scale sustainable architecture from Richmond Bell Architects
Anne’s Art Studio sets a benchmark for small-scale sustainable architecture
Anne’s Art Studio, a purpose-built artist’s studio designed by Wiltshire-based Richmond Bell Architects (RBA), demonstrates how small-scale, client-led projects can deliver meaningful sustainability outcomes without compromising architectural quality or usability.
Designed for Swedish artist Anne Terselius Claridge, the studio sits within the garden of the client’s existing 1960’s bungalow on the eastern edge of Salisbury, close to the River Bourne. From the outset, the project was conceived as a low-impact building that would support Anne’s creative practice while responding sensitively to its landscape context.
Led by RBA associate director Matthew Mudd, the design process prioritised environmental performance, longevity, and material responsibility. Close collaboration between client and architect shaped every aspect of the scheme, ensuring that sustainability measures were integrated holistically rather than applied retrospectively.
Ground disturbance was minimised through the use of screwpile foundations, allowing the building to sit lightly on the site while protecting the root systems of mature lime trees. This approach reduced excavation, concrete use, and associated embodied carbon, while also speeding up construction.
The superstructure is formed using high-performance Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), supplied by Ecologic SIPS. The panels consist of engineered timber facings with 100% recyclable EPS insulation, delivering excellent airtightness, thermal stability, and reduced construction waste. The SIP system also addresses the building’s full lifecycle, with materials that can be separated and recycled at end of use.
“The SIP system allowed us to achieve strong thermal performance with a relatively lightweight structure,” explains Matthew Mudd.
“That translated into lower operational energy demand and a consistently comfortable internal environment.”
To further reduce embodied carbon, glulam timber was used in place of steel, and all timber was sourced from certified sustainable forests. The external envelope is clad in charred timber, a durable, low-maintenance finish that extends the lifespan of the material while avoiding chemical treatments.
Operational sustainability was considered alongside embodied impact. The studio’s asymmetrical form and angled roof are oriented northwards to provide consistent, glare-free natural light – a key requirement for artistic work – reducing reliance on artificial lighting throughout the day.
Carefully positioned openings also promote a strong connection to the surrounding landscape, enhancing wellbeing without compromising thermal performance. Rainwater is discreetly managed via concealed gutters and downpipes, reinforcing the building’s clean detailing while supporting responsible water management.
The project progressed smoothly through planning with Wiltshire Council, reflecting both the clarity of the sustainability strategy and the building’s sensitive scale and siting.
For Anne, the completed studio is as successful environmentally as it is creatively.
“The space feels alive and responsive,” she says. “It supports my work year-round and reflects the values we set out to achieve.”
At a time when the UK construction industry continues to grapple with carbon reduction and resource efficiency, Anne’s Art Studio offers a compelling example of how thoughtful design, careful specification, and genuine collaboration can deliver architecture that is both deeply sustainable and highly personal.
Photography by French & Tye
About Richmond Bell Architects
Richmond Bell Architects (RBA) is an award-winning, RIBA-chartered practice based in Salisbury and founded in 2008, known for designing thoughtful, enduring homes across the south of England. Their portfolio spans bespoke new builds, barn conversions, pool houses and the sensitive restoration of listed properties, all underpinned by a commitment to sustainability and contextual design. Combining robust, long-lasting construction with modern technologies and renewable energy systems, RBA creates buildings that sit naturally within their landscapes.
