The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan
Slideshow: this underground house by London studio De Matos Ryan tunnels beneath a listed stone tower in Gloucestershire, England.
![The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/Dezeen_The-Round-Tower-by-De-Matos-Ryan_3.jpg)
A grass roof slopes up to cover living and utility rooms inside the single-storey building but cuts away at the centre to create a concealed courtyard.
![The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/Dezeen_The-Round-Tower-by-De-Matos-Ryan_4.jpg)
A corridor leads from the main house into the tower itself, where a games room occupies the ground floor and bedrooms are located on two floors above.
![The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/Dezeen_The-Round-Tower-by-De-Matos-Ryan_5.jpg)
Glazed walls at the rear of the house face out onto a sunken terrace and swimming pool.
![The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/Dezeen_The-Round-Tower-by-De-Matos-Ryan_1.jpg)
This is the second project we've featured this week in Gloucestershire - see our earlier story about a school with a shiny copper chapel.
![The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/Dezeen_The-Round-Tower-by-De-Matos-Ryan_6.jpg)
Photography is by Edmund Sumner.
![The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/Dezeen_The-Round-Tower-by-De-Matos-Ryan_2.jpg)
Here's some more text from De Matos Ryan:
The Round Tower, Gloucestershire
De Matos Ryan
The Round Tower is a Grade II Listed folly, which had been reduced to ruin by years of neglect and fire.
![The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/Dezeen_The-Round-Tower-by-De-Matos-Ryan_7.jpg)
Located on the crest of a hill overlooking Siddington Village, the exposed site is visually integral to the setting of this listed structure.
![The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/Dezeen_The-Round-Tower-by-De-Matos-Ryan_13.gif)
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As such the design approach maintains the open relationship with the surrounding agricultural landscape by developing a discreet and substantial underground extension to the tower.
![The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/Dezeen_The-Round-Tower-by-De-Matos-Ryan_8.gif)
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This underground extension provides the main open plan living spaces and is lit by both a central open sunken courtyard and a lateral ‘landscape scoop’ concealing the new swimming pool and associated sun terraces from public view.
![The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/Dezeen_The-Round-Tower-by-De-Matos-Ryan_9.gif)
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The listed tower remains clearly the dominant structure, providing the front door to the 4 bedroom family house and the means of vertical circulation. It is also the visual focus of the main sunken courtyard garden.
![The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/Dezeen_The-Round-Tower-by-De-Matos-Ryan_10.gif)
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The restored tower provides additional accommodation and a roof terrace for the enjoyment of the panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
![The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/Dezeen_The-Round-Tower-by-De-Matos-Ryan_11.gif)
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A new detached building adjacent to the entrance to the site, provides garaging and an additional guest studio.
![The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/Dezeen_The-Round-Tower-by-De-Matos-Ryan_12.gif)
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![The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/Dezeen_The-Round-Tower-by-De-Matos-Ryan_14.gif)
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![The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan The Round Tower by De Matos Ryan](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2012/02/Dezeen_The-Round-Tower-by-De-Matos-Ryan_15.gif)
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