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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. Bearstead Rise in London, England by Gruff ArchitectsJune 16th, 2019 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: Gruff Architects Recurring joinery detailing and a harmonious material palette link all levels of this stylish south-east London family home. In its former configuration this 2-storey 1950s property was typical of its type, with a layout easily adaptable to modern family living. In need of refurbishment but with both a loft conversation and outbuilding already in-situ, it was the obvious potential that first attracted the client and his partner to the property. The clients initial brief was to effectively rip-out the ground floor, eradicating the awkward room arrangements, to create an open plan ground floor for living, dining and cooking. Reconfiguring the rear elevation to provide continuation to the otherwise disconnected garden area, whilst enhancing the link to a new home office space within the disused outbuilding – complete with solar panels to the roof slopes, feeding a smart battery installed and utilised within the main house. To the upper levels, the first floor would be used for the clients twins and the second floor loft conversion would accommodate a master bedroom with ensuite bathroom.  Image Courtesy © French + Tye
 Image Courtesy © French + Tye Neutral materials and colours were purposefully chosen throughout to form the fabric of the building, such as cork floor tiles, engineered timber floor boards and birch ply joinery, providing neutrality but warmth to the internal spaces. Concrete floor tiles, zinc yellow kitchen door fronts and an anthracite grey staircase, emphasise key elements. This consistent palette links both different levels and different functions of the house, creating connecting ribbons and visual references. A new storage staircase was installed at ground level, with shadow gaps and recessed handrail. This language continues with existing guarding replaced using the same modern language. Where existing structure needed to remain, the junction of new to old was deliberately expressed though a series of shadow gaps and junctions. Each element was then sanded and painted to provide a universal finish.  Image Courtesy © French + Tye  Image Courtesy © French + Tye A modest but exuberant kitchen was installed within the rear extension, providing ample remaining space for living and dining. A floor-to-ceiling modular and adjustable birch ply storage wall and window seat is the main feature of this area, allowing the couple to display much loved books, photos and memorabilia, whilst also acting as a hub for home entertainment and relaxation. This feature is also repeated at the upper levels, with the same language and material being used for bespoke storage and seating to all bedrooms.  Image Courtesy © French + Tye  Image Courtesy © French + Tye To the rear of the property, new glazed pocket and bifold doors open up the ground level to a newly landscaped garden, with decked terraced seating, steps and planters. A linear concrete pathway extends from the front entrance, through the living, dining and kitchen areas and continues into the garden, forming a material ribbon down to the clients new home office, workshop and gadget station.  Image Courtesy © French + Tye  Image Courtesy © French + Tye The home office has been adapted to read as a mirror of the main house, with large bifold doors opening up to the garden area. Although the main house, garden and home office exist as individual elements, by the use of repeated materials and neutral aesthetics they become visually linked, with the garden acting as the transitional outdoor area, and by way of a bi-product doubling up as a handy performance space.  Image Courtesy © French + Tye  Image Courtesy © French + Tye  Image Courtesy © French + Tye  Image Courtesy © French + Tye  Image Courtesy © French + Tye  Image Courtesy © French + Tye  Image Courtesy © French + Tye
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Categories: House, Microstation, Residential |
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