What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 5:45pm Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm Wednesday 9am - 5:45pm Thursday 9am - 5:30pm Friday 9am - 5:30pm

Studio Arkell Ltd.

RIBA Chartered Practice in the South Coast

Studio Arkell offers answers to all your architectural a

▫️RIBA Chartered Architects Studio
▫️Considered design accessible to all
▫️No project too big or too small
▫️Business Award Winning 2023

13/08/2026

Meet Carolina ✨

Next up in our team series is Carolina, our Brazilian architect bringing an international perspective and a passion for thoughtful, sustainable design to the studio.

After completing her six-year degree in Architecture and Urban Design in São Paulo, Carolina moved to the UK to undertake a Master’s in Sustainable Building Design at Solent University, graduating with Distinction.

As a BREEAM Accredited Professional, sustainability sits naturally at the heart of her approach. She works across all stages of our projects, from those first ideas and early concepts through to technical design and Building Regulations, with a particular eye for considered detailing and environmentally responsible design.

Outside the studio, you’ll most likely find Carolina outdoors. A lover of nature, outdoor adventures and water sports, her connection to the natural environment continues to shape the way she thinks about people, place and architecture.

12/08/2026

A quiet transformation of a modest bungalow into a light-filled, contemporary family home.

Our proposals reimagine the existing two-bedroom property with a loft conversion and single-storey rear extension, creating three generous double bedrooms and a new open-plan kitchen, dining and living space that connects effortlessly with the garden.

The architecture is deliberately restrained. White render and slate are softened by slender vertical timber slatted detailing, introducing warmth, texture and a subtle play of light and shadow. To the rear, the same material wraps the new extension, paired with expansive aluminium glazing, crisp lines and concealed guttering for a refined, minimal finish.

At the front, the original gable is retained and carefully redressed, giving a subtle nod to the character of the existing home while creating a distinctly new identity.

Simple materials. Considered details. A softer take on contemporary living.

Swipe through to see existing vs proposed.

04/08/2026

One of our favourite details from this Mudeford coastal refurbishment... 🤎

This bespoke solid walnut fire door was designed as a feature entrance into the main open-plan living space, where full-height apex glazing and a Juliet balcony frame uninterrupted views across the sea.

As the house extends over three and a half storeys, the door needed to achieve a fire rating without compromising the design. The result is a handcrafted solid walnut door that combines performance with warmth, creating a beautiful transition into the heart of the home.

The curved steel frame responds to the unique architecture of the property, following the central turret, making the arrival into the space feel even more special.

Beautifully handmade by the talented team at Broad Construction®, it’s a fantastic example of how thoughtful detailing and skilled craftsmanship can elevate a home.
 Principal Contractor & Joinery : Broad Construction®
Glazing: ODC Door & Glass - Bespoke Aluminium Glazing

28/07/2026

✨ Concept Design | Reimagining the Chalet Bungalow

Transforming an ageing chalet bungalow into a warm, contemporary family home designed for gathering, entertaining and making memories.

Our concept reimagines the property as a spacious four-bedroom home, introducing elegant feature gables, a recessed first-floor balcony and a generous pergola that extends the living space into the garden.

Inside, the layout is centred around a light-filled open-plan kitchen, dining and living area - the true heart of the home - while a separate snug provides a quieter retreat.

Inspired by the warmth of Italian gardens, the landscape combines terracotta paving, layered Mediterranean planting and generous outdoor dining spaces to create a home that feels as inviting outside as it does within.

A home designed for slow mornings, long lunches, family celebrations and everyday life.

Swipe to see the journey from the existing bungalow to our concept vision.

24/07/2026

✨ Concept Design

A beautiful Victorian home, dating back to the 1860s, thoughtfully reimagined for modern family living while celebrating its rich architectural heritage.

Our concept introduces a sensitive internal reconfiguration, creating a generous open-plan kitchen, dining and living space that reflects the way families live today, while preserving the character and proportions of the original house. Traditional detailing and carefully selected materials ensure the new additions feel as though they have always belonged.

The vision extends beyond the home, strengthening the connection to the existing outbuilding and surrounding landscape through a new orangery, timber pergola, outdoor dining terrace and tranquil pond - nurturing a relationship between architecture and garden.

A home that honours its history while embracing its next chapter.

03/07/2026

Friday site visits in the sunshine... there are definitely worse ways to spend the day. ☀️🏡

This project is almost complete, and it’s been brilliant seeing the transformation from a tired 1970s three-bedroom chalet bungalow into a contemporary five-bedroom family home.

The heart of the design is a light-filled orangery, creating an open plan kitchen, dining and living space that opens onto a raised courtyard, blurring the line between inside and out and creating the perfect setting for family life and entertaining.

We’re now onto the final landscaping touches to the front and rear, and we can’t wait to see the finished result.

👉 Swipe to see the rear elevation before and after.

What do you think of the transformation?

02/07/2026

A home designed to feel as though it has always belonged.

This concept reimagines the rear of the property by replacing the existing conservatory with a single storey extension that feels as though it has always been part of the home. Taking inspiration from the original architecture, we’ve introduced a turreted artist’s studio with generous roof overhangs to provide natural shading during the summer months, and a complete internal reconfiguration to create brighter, better-connected living spaces.

Outside, the transformation continues with a new swimming pool, layered planting, generous entertaining terraces and a thoughtfully designed landscape scheme that makes the garden feel like a true extension of the home.

Timeless architecture, designed for the way our clients live, create and entertain.

DorsetArchitect

12/06/2026

A proud moment for our director, Hannah, to be named Young Property Person of the Year 🏆

It’s a privilege to be recognised alongside so many talented people across the property and construction industry.

Hannah -

A huge thank you to the team at Studio Arkell - I’m proud to work alongside such a talented group of people whose hard work, creativity and commitment continue to push the studio forward every day.

Thanks to the South Coast Property Awards team and the judges for the honour, and to Stuart Allen at Paris Smith LLP for presenting the award.

A great evening and celebration to round of the week with a few familiar faces too!

05/06/2026

From bungalow to chalet-style family home ✨

This design proposal reimagines a 3-bedroom bungalow into a spacious 4-bedroom chalet, tailored for modern family living.

The ground floor centres around a generous open-plan kitchen, dining and living space, creating a seamless connection to the garden. At first floor level, a vaulted master suite provides a private retreat, complete with a walk-in wardrobe, luxury ensuite and dedicated seating area.

Working within a constrained site, challenged by overlooking neighbours and tapered boundaries, the design carefully balances scale, privacy and functionality. By extending the eaves and reconfiguring the internal layout, we’ve achieved the character and proportions of a traditional chalet-style bungalow.

Natural materials play a key role in the design, with timber-framed elements, timber soffits and fascias adding warmth and texture.

Now for the big question... 👇

Do you prefer the clean lines of horizontal timber cladding or the timeless character of shingle cladding?

28/04/2026

Planning approved ✔️

A complete reimagining of a modest 2-bed chalet into a generous 4-bedroom family home.

The proposal introduces a new roof configuration to create a pair of balanced gables, giving the house a strong, symmetrical presence while unlocking significant additional accommodation at first floor.

To the rear, a traditional orangery forms a light-filled, open-plan kitchen, living and family space with a direct connection to the garden.

An integrated garage is carefully woven into the composition, maintaining a calm and cohesive street presence.

The architecture draws on a restrained, timeless palette of natural timber, brick, render and clay tiles, paired with soft heritage-style windows to create a warm, crafted and enduring character.

A considered blend of tradition and modern family living. What do you think?

Address

5 Castle Street, Christchurch
Christchurch, Dorset
BH231DP

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5:45pm
Tuesday	9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	9am - 5:45pm
Thursday	9am - 5:30pm
Friday	9am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+441202232423

Website

http://www.studioarkell.com/

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