Architect : A-Zero Architects
Giles Bruce, Mizue Katayama, Ingrid Hu
Contractor : Blero Construction
Structural Design:
Joinery : Dominic Ash Bespoke
Photos © Agnese Sanvito
House in Highate
London, UK,
This property in Highgate, London was substantially reconfigured internally with a double height extension to the rear. This deep retrofit allows substantial environmental upgrades to the fabric, including upgrading of insulation through out, and the installation of a MVHR system.
A new double height kitchen living space forms the social centre of the plan, allowing connections to both levels of the plan, both in terms of circulation and conversation.
The project is a blend of contemporary and traditional materials and styles, with the aim of that both new and old are both of their times, but respectful of each other.
Designing for a view
The site is sandwiched between low rising housing to the south, and a mock Tudor pub to the west. A detached dwelling that had existed on the site since the early 1900s had been completely overshadowed by a new development to the north. We questioned how a new development could get a view the view to the Thames, the Shard and the City, all obscured by the surrounding buildings. We hired a cherry picker to understand where the views were, and the orientation a building would need to be to capture them.
Connecting inside and outside
We connected the double height space with the garden using to full height pivoting doors. These provide a full connection between inside and outside, with the level floor making a seamless transition when open. The doors also face east, which allowed us to use planting to the top of the pivot doors as 'shadow puppetry' to the wall behind, their wind blown shapes projecting on the wall behind.
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