Although discreet, the building has a strong identity.
The form of the building – with its separate living and sleeping wings – cleverly encloses two courtyards. The ‘day’ wing extends across the width of the site to define an outer semi-private courtyard – and parking space – across which the front door can be seen from the street. A gate and sheltered passage lead to a private, secluded courtyard garden.
This protected inner courtyard has its own microclimate and becomes an outdoor living space – extending out from the living room through bi-folding doors. The courtyard garden is landscaped with a mixture of timber decking, paving and grass, with climbing plants covering its south facing wall.
Materials were carefully chosen to express different elements of the design. The outer courtyard walls are pale grey facing brick; white render is used in the courtyards to help good daylight penetration; and the upper storey has been beautifully detailed in timber – weathered to a silvery grey.
A palette of pale materials provides a calm, neutral backdrop to the vibrant colours of the client’s furnishings. A folded steel stair, painted bright yellow, provides a highlight colour in an otherwise pale interior.
We have maximised natural daylight into the house – while at the same time avoiding adjoining gardens being overlooked. High level windows bring shafts of sunlight into the house whatever the time of day or season.