St George's House
Simple geometry and the dramatic scale redefine this home for a family in Islington.
For this project, considerations of planning and space were the primary challenge. Coupled with the small footprint of the garden and planning restrictions, the structure would need to be modest in scale. Our solution was to design a visually lightweight structure that blends seamlessly into its surroundings, ensuring the garden still feels spacious.
To form a visual connection to the main property, the tiled stone flooring of the kitchen in the house is also utilised on the garden terrace and down to that of the studio flooring. By lowering the studio from ground level, we were able to bring extra height to the interior while still complying with the complex planning restrictions. The interior space feels spacious yet cosy, nestled in amongst the surrounding raised planters. Facing back towards the house, a cantilevered steel structure at the rear of the studio forms the support for two glazed walls—ensuring an abundance of natural light and harmonious connection to the glazed rear extension of the main house. Utilising glass in this way also minimised the wall thickness, therefore maximising the footprint of the studio.
Environmental change was a significant consideration in this project, with the studio home to many valuable scores and original works. In the summer months, an overhang protrudes from the sedum roof, providing shading from powerful sunlight, along with the addition of a ventilation system to control humidity. In the winter months, underfloor heating ensures the studio retains its warmth.