Our clients were keen modernists, with a young family and a desire to exhibit their large contemporary art collection. The opportunity of a clean site behind the retained front wall permitted a modernist re-interpretation of the London town house. A radical planning departure from the traditional typology was deliberately not sought, instead reliance was placed on efficient planning and the selective use of a limited palette of materials to produce the desired solution.
The peculiarities of the site, with its flying freehold, enabled the double cube geometry of the ground floor to be turned through 90 degrees on the first floor piano nobile. The double fronted aspect of the site gives the rear facade an alternative reading as front facade; the gravelled garden reminiscent of a formal driveway.
Much of the necessary accommodation is squeezed into the children's floor, permitting the full dimensions of the house to be read on the 'public' ground and first floors and the `semi public' third floor master bedroom. To maximise the visual dimensions, doors are full height and are held in recesses by electromagnets, closing only when desired or automitcally when activated by the fire alarm.
Glass floors are used on the bridge over the dining area and on the third floor to bring light into the children's hallway. The roof above the third floor bathroom is fully glazed. The staircase is constructed from folded metal plate and suspended from above. Virtually all elements of the house were purpose designed by ourselves including the beds and the kitchen table.
The house received an RIBA Award in 1993.