Description of the Project

This project is for a three-bedroom new build house on a small site in a cul-de-sac off Portobello Road. The total gross internal floor area is 188 sq m.

The site is long and narrow (just 5.5m deep), and it is single aspect, with the long axis orientated north-east to south-west. It is presently used as a storage area for two of the market traders. It is built up on three sides, and opens right onto the mews, which is still actively used; the mews also provides access to the adjacent backlands housing development.

Maximising the accommodation entailed filling up the entire site, as well as forming a new basement. Because of the proximity of neighbouring properties, the new building was confined to a ground and first floor only, but with a roof terrace at second floor.

The house is organised in a straight-forward manner, set out to accommodate an integral garage that was insisted upon by the planners. The staircase is at the heart of the scheme: a light filled translucent glass tower encloses a glass staircase that runs the full height of the building, right up to the roof terrace. Light slots are provided in the roof and first floor along the rear party wall to wash the rear main wall with light all the way down to the ground floor

The key decision in such an urban house is where to locate the living accommodation. Often it is better located on the first floor, to take advantage of the light and the views. Here, it was felt that, due to the proximity of the mews, the bedrooms should not be on the ground floor, so this is where main living space is located, in an open plan arrangement

The one façade we had to work with had to be both transparent and opaque at the same time, to provide light and views out, but to prevent views in, to protect the privacy of the occupants. The principal device used to achieve this is a structural screen of diagonally braced metal, within which are a series of perforated metal panels. These allow light, but not views, in, whilst at the same time allowing a screened view out. Behind this screen is full height glazing at both levels. Each space has full height clear window 800mm wide – just enough to be able to stand at and look out.

The diagonal screen rises up beyond roof level to form a balustrade to the roof terrace. Back lit by the sky, it gives an ethereal outline to the building, counter-balanced by the translucent glass stair tower

The diagonal grid opens up as it rises up from the ground, giving greater screening where it is most needed – at ground floor – and less screening where it is most desired – at the roof terrace. The effect of the diagonal grid is to give the house the appearance of peeking out at the city through crossed fingers