ArchShowcase Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Peekaboo House in Islington, London by Lipton Plant ArchitectsMarch 26th, 2015 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: Lipton Plant Architects Peekaboo House is located near Newington Green in N1, Islington and benefits from the side access and parking space where our site was identified. The clients were current residents of the property and had already completed extensive refurbishment works in addition to the modern glazed extension at Lower Ground floor completed by the previous owner. Our brief was to create an effective separate single bed dwelling for a nanny with the impending arrival of their first child. Although we were able to utilise some of the side access to form the new addition the client was insistent upon retaining the parking space and as much of the rear patio as possible. Furthermore it was important to retain an access for the client from front to back via the side access to ensure security of the overall property was in their control.
The result of these constrains has produced a modest scale extension that wraps around the corner of the existing property and conceals the majority of the new dwelling below the reinstated patio. The rear elevation of the new extension is a stepped glazed box which overlooks a 1 and ½ story space that sits between the new living and kitchen space and the new playroom located in the lower ground floor of the existing property. Sat within this space is the most striking aspect of the project – the staircase. Formed from Solid Oak the staircase hugs the corner of the existing building and steps down beneath the steps in the glazed roof over. The result is a dramatic space and stair that occupies the minimal amount of space allowing the new rooms and retained patio to be as large as the client desired. Not only does the staircase provide access from the entry level of the new dwelling to the subterranean section, it also provides a discreet step up into the higher playroom. This subtle change in level allows the spaces to be utilised as one whilst also differentiating the separate uses of the two areas. Furthermore this in-between space is utilised as an intimate dining space for the new inhabitant. As the stair reaches the new lower level the bottom two steps wrap around the rear face of the existing building to form the step up to the play room and also incorporates a bench which forms a suitable dining space with the roof light above you. The mitred edges of the stair give the impression that it has been formed from one section of timber. Although small and modest the use of space and light has created a successful new dwelling for the nanny whilst adding a useful playroom to the main house between which sits the new oak stair. Contact Lipton Plant Architects
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