Field House
por Bradley Van Der Straeten @bvdsarchitects
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A new triple-height stairwell has been carved out of this period property and brings light to all three floors of accommodation. Views across the living areas create spaces of refuge and surprise and make the most of the park front setting.
The property is entered on the ground floor, which is split into two double-aspect wings, a lounge on one side and a kitchen diner on the other, which includes a bespoke and colourful double-galley kitchen. Both wings are separated from the stairwell by full height glass doors and connected by a new bridge that spans one side of the triple height core.
A traditional staircase with a swept handrail leads up to the top floor with four bedrooms. The landing above the stair has been opened up like a light funnel into the existing rafters, which also helps to act as a stack ventilator for the whole property.
A new modern steel and timber stair dog-legs down to a previously dark and dingy basement, which has now been transformed by new glazed openings onto the garden, and internal glass walls that open up the floor full width. At one end, the full width vista is terminated by a beautiful arch window that has been re-instated on the side of the house.
The basement provides level access to the garden and houses an additional guest bathroom, bathroom, utility room and large family leisure space. The main triple-height stair core creates volume and makes the level feel anything but a basement.
Externally, the three new glazed openings onto the garden are designed with crittal style French doors and bring and help connect and ground the house to the garden. At the upper floor, the two new sash windows that provide views from the entrance and the connecting bridge, have been surrounded with a large exaggerated pink concrete window reveal. At basement level, where new openings have been made, new white bricks have been used with deep set mortar joints, to create a sharpness to contrast with the existing brickwork.
The full property was reimagined, after laying vacant for five years and has been transformed without the need for extending. Where previously there were no views to the garden and no visual links between the three levels, there is now a dynamic home re-interpreted for family living and entertaining.
From an environmental perspective the perimeter walls have been lined with natural cork insulation, that allows the solid brick walls to breathe. The cork is also a natural sound insulant and helps absorb airborne toxins. In order to maintain the breathability of the cork wall, they have been finished with lime-based render and painted with clay based paints, which again are both toxin free.
One of the successes of this project is that, from the outside, the refurbishment of this Locally Listed property is barely perceptible with only some minor window opening alterations to the rear.
Internally, all three levels of the property have been made liveable by the three-floor space that has been carved out of the heart of the plan and connects previously unliveable spaces.
Whilst the refurb of the building is visually appealing, it’s the unseen work that makes this house different. To insulate the property for thermal comfort to reduce energy consumption, all the perimeter walls have been lined with natural cork panels and finished with lime based render and 100% non-synthetic clay based paints. This insulates the property, maintains breathability for the existing solid masonry walls, eliminates airborne toxins inherent in most wall linings and finishes and also provides good acoustic qualities suitable for the living and bedroom spaces.
‘one of my favourite views in the property is standing behind the hob, facing out over the triple height stairwell. You can see across the full width of the property to the lounge on the other side as well as down into the basement level and out into the garden. We knew what we were trying to achieve with the design, but it is always nice to be surprised and have our own expectations exceeded, as well as the clients.’ George Bradley
‘The bridge between the kitchen & lounge is my favourite spot of the house. It acts as a ‘command centre’ with views across the whole house, from the study space you see the garden, the front door, the living quarters, all in a prime spot with plenty of daylight. What could have been just a circulation space is now a lovely spot to sit, work and take it all in.’ Ewald Van Der Straeten
Client says
What lots of people have said when they visit, friends, the electrician etc is that it’s a warm house and that’s what I like best. It’s a big house for London and architect designed but the outcome is friendly and beautiful not intimidating and slick.
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