Planning success for sustainable charging at Marwell

Studio BAD have worked in collaboration with University of Southampton to research, and achieved planning permission for fully off-grid electric charging within the Marwell Zoo customer car park, near Winchester in Hampshire.

Designed to deliver sustainable infrastructure to support the nationwide drive towards sustainable car charging, without adding a burden to the existing electrical grid, this project is a trail which we hope can be rolled out to more locations in the near future. This scheme is set to be live for three years, to test the unique, fully off grid electrical vehicle charging technology. Because of the temporary nature of the installation, the design does not involve the removal or alternation of any of the mature trees on the site, installing permanent foundations, or fixing, it has been designed to touch the ground lightly, and be removable.

In total the project will deliver over 20 car charging space, with solar panels installed on butterfly roofs, linked to battery storage, and a back up generator.

The design offering visitors to the zoo an opportunity to charge their cars sustainably. Supporting and aligning to the zoo’s strong commitment in this area, other initiatives include generating their own power through solar power, and their ‘Zoo Poo’ project which recycles animal waste to heat buildings.

The project works in collaboration with the FEVER research project, led by the University of Southampton in partnership with Universities of Sheffield, Surrey, and Portsmouth, and funded by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

New Forest Building Design Award Win

We are so happy to have had our Brockenhurst House recognised in the New Forest Building Design Awards this year, picking up the award for Best Residential Project – our second award for this project to date!

Our project has reimagined the distinctive 1970s chalet-style home set on the edge of Brockenhurst village. Our design was guided by three key ambitions: improving spatial flexibility, enhancing environmental performance, and strengthening the connection between house and garden. The finished project has created a contemporary, sustainable, and accessible home, without compromising the architectural quality of the spaces.

The judges commented that the project had a ‘noteworthy combination of modern, forward-thinking ideas, which referenced the local vernacular in materials, and employed good green credentials.’

They went on to praise the project, which they felt was ‘in spirit of the government’s advice over embodied carbon, with retention over replacement, and showcasing a retrofit scheme on a more typical modern dwelling found within the New Forest’.

This would not have been possible without our wonderful and inspiring clients, and our hardworking team of collaborators who brough this scheme to life – congratulations to us all.

Courtyard House cladding update

On our most recent site visit to Courtyard House, we were thrilled to see the roof completed, the scaffolding removed, and the external cladding almost completed, marking another positive milestone in the construction phase.

The vertical timber cladding wraps the whole building, helping to blend the new structure into the rural setting. Two complementary timber finishes have been introduced to subtly break down the building’s massing and add visual depth.

The work is now shifting to the interior works, and we are very much looking forward to documenting how this projects continues to evolve onsite.

Studio BAD deliver RIBA CPD

We are pleased to annouce that Darren Bray will be delivering a RIBA CPD session, alongside Professor Lorraine Farrelly, on Laying the Foundations: Navigating feasibility studies for project success, as part of the 2026 RIBA Core CPD programme.

On this course they will be discussing the pivotal role feasibility studies play in delivering successful architectural projects. Learning outcomes will include:

  • Analysing site constraints, planning policy, budgets, environmental factors, and client briefs to inform project feasibility
  • Evaluating risks and opportunities for a range of project typologies, including new builds, retrofits, community assets, and housing
  • Genegrating feasibility study data into proposals that demonstrate project value, sustainability, and deliverability.

We really enjoyed working with the RIBA to put these together, find out more and sign up here. As part of the 2026 core programme you can learn on demand at a time that suits you, and complete the courses in any order.

 

February Practice News

In this month’s update, we’re pleased to share our newly published Church brochure, early concept designs for two new-build homes within the New Forest National Park, and details of The Politics of Space lecture series, where Darren will be presenting.

Securing Church Buildings Through Design

We have recently published our first brochure dedidated to our architectural work focused on church buildings. As a design practice, we are passionate about working with these existing buildings, using architecture as a catalyst for positive change. Through our experience working with 20 + churches dotted across the UK, we have developed tailored design proposals for a wide range of denominations, settings and building types. We deliver designs that respond to each projects distinct challenges and opportunities, to bring long-term resilience to these extraordinary spaces.

Many churches share common concerns: reducing maintenance costs, unlocking the potential of their buildings and sites, improving usability, strengthening engagement with the wider community, above all ensuring the building can continue to support the church’s mission for generations to come.

View the church brochure here. 

Garden Plot Concept Designs, New Forest National Park

We are currently working with the owners of Paddock House, to explore the potential of redeveloping their site, to deliver a low energy replacement dwelling, and to create an additional new home within their generous grounds.

Our designs carefully respond to the rural village setting, while also considering the plot ratios of neighbouring homes. The aim is to deliver these two new house with a design that is balanced and appropriate for its context, while also reaching the full potential of the site.

View project details here.

RUAS lecture

Darren has been invited to present as part of Reading University, Architecture Society (RUAS) event ‘The Politics of Space’ on 12th March, 2026.

He has been asked to share his thoughts on how architecture reflects, and shapes social hierarchies. How design can impact accessibility, and inclusion across society.

As a current Studio Practitioner at Reading University, Darren is always keen to support the work of RUAS.

Get in touch to request the presentation slides after the event if you are unable to attend.

Securing Church Buildings Through Design

As a design practice, we are passionate about working with existing church buildings and using architecture as a catalyst for positive change. Through our experience with 20 + churches dotted across the UK, we have developed tailored design proposals for a wide range of denominations, settings and building types, each proposal responding to its own distinct challenges and opportunities. Our work focuses on bringing renewed life and long-term resilience to these extraordinary spaces.

Many churches share common concerns: reducing maintenance costs, unlocking the potential of their buildings and sites, improving usability, strengthening engagement with the wider community, above all ensuring the building can continue to support the church’s mission for generations to come.

Our approach centres on careful adaptation and reuse. By working with what already exists, we help churches remain relevant, sustainable, and welcoming, while addressing long-term maintenance and environmental performance.

If you are considering a church project, we would be delighted to discuss how we can help reimagine the potential of your building. We have also published a dedicated brochure showcasing our work in this sector, which you can view here.