ISLINGTON, LONDON
The house fills the whole of a tiny derelict site at the end of a Victorian terrace in Islington and attempts to heal a scar in the urban fabric. By sinking the ground floor 1m below street level and careful consideration of rights to light of its close neighbours we achieved permission for a highly individual 100 sq m house. Built on a very low budget the house demonstrates how the qualities of simple materials can be raised into something more special through detailing and care in construction.
Internally the exposed brickwork is painted and softened by timber linings. Each room has a distinct character determined by its form and the positioning of its windows. The sequence of spaces is linked by an open staircase, a finely crafted element lined with cupboards and shelves that provides a place for storage and display.
The timber windows have deep reveals, built-in shutters and blinds allowing for privacy or engagement with life outside. From the second storey office a huge corner window frames the Victorian houses opposite and provides a long view to the Green. The large windows and small front garden are intended as contributions to the life of the street in the belief that offering something positive for passers-by might connect the house with its community.
AWARDS
RIBA Awards 2005 - Shortlisted
Brick Awards 2004, Best single house - Runner-up
Press
Evening Standard - 11 September 2013, p36-37, Kieran Long, ‘A Home to DIY For’
The New Modern House: Redefining Functionalism, Lawrence King, 2010, Jonathan Bell and Ellie Stathaki
The Independent – 15 October 2010, Living p52-53, Oliver Bennett, ‘Its Time to Start Thinking Big’
New York Times – 7 October 2010, pD08, Rocky Casale, ‘A Big Idea Fit for a Tiny Lot’
100 Houses: Modern Designs for Contemporary Living, Merrell, 2009, Cathy Strongman
Basics - Interior Architecture: Drawing Out the Interior, AVA Publishing, 2009, Ro Spankie
Architektur + Wettbewerbe – September 2008 p60-63, Arne Barth, ‘Residential House with Office in London’
Daily Telegraph magazine - 28 July 2007 p64-67, Abigail Edwards, 'All Rooms with a View'
New London Architecture II, Merrell, 2007, Kenneth Powell & Cathy Strongman
Architecture In Detail, Architectural Press, 2007, Graham Bizley
Grand Designs Magazine - October 2006, p139-141, Fiona Sibley, 'Libraries'
Icon - August 2006, p21, Marcus Fairs, 'I Visited This House'
Evening Standard - 19 July 2006, Homes & Property p22, Fay Sweet, 'A Very Clever Plot'
Baumeister (Germany) - B4, April 2006, p54-59, Anne Hultzsch, 'Fenster zur Stadt'
Constuire In Laterizio (Italy) - 110, March/April 2006, p70-73, Andrea Campioli, 'Tutto a vista'
Architectural Review - March 2006, p37, 50-51, Rob Gregory, 'The House: New Paradigms'
Pen Magazine (Japan) - March 2006, Noriko Takiguchi, 'Architects Own Houses'
Grand Designs Magazine - February 2006, p53, 60-68, Cathy Strongman, 'Neighbourhood Watch'
RIBA Journal - January 2006, p48-52, Jan Carlos Kucharek, 'No Place Like Home'
