Rise
Rise is about rediscovering what you have by changing the relationship you have to it.
Early in the project we decided to go against the grain and explore a Subtraction rather than an Extension. It was a better response to the budget, planning and heritage constraints and an awkward structural configuration. These challenges appear to have been instrumental to build better, smarter, greener, and beyond, becoming stepping stones for an exploration of perception.
Once the main strategy to host dining, kitchen and lounge on the raised ground floor was reached and all key functions attributed to spaces, there was still plenty of space to play with. The client was ready for this playful exploration and were not attached to making every square meter work hard.
We created a double height space hosted in the raised ground floor rear reception room canted bay, retaining its grain, features and pitched roof. Beyond the lofty, light, surprise of the space, viewing some elements such as the ornamented cornice seven meters away changes your perception of it. It seems both more delicate and geometrically stronger.
We carved out a plastered and solid timber stair from two rear levels utility rooms to link ground and lower ground floors and garden. This created a new circulation rhythm in the family everyday life; simpler, airier, more intuitive. It also moved the gravity centre of the house towards the rear garden, bringing it closer to touch; the house looks like a greenhouse.
We gave space for the unknown and undefined, allowing the family to intuitively take ownership of the house in ways no-one could have planned for, which suited wonderfully the family’s current situation. Interestingly, without naming them, we all agreed on these undefined spaces. Rosie the whippet was vector of this part of the brief, that was always “Rosie will love this nook”. These nooks have become the daughter’s reading patch, clients’ work from home spot, and some will become the baby’s special nap space.
All of this was in front of us from the start, but given rigid functions and boundaries. We opened up, unfolded, stepped back. We added natural light, interesting geometry and revealed existing textures. The family is doing the rest, and the gaps still have plenty to give.
Date: 2024
Location: London
Status: completed
We decided to go against the grain and explore a Subtraction rather than an Extension.
We created a double height space hosted in the raised ground floor rear reception room.
.
Beyond the lofty, light, surprise of the space, viewing some elements such as the ornamented cornice seven meters away changes your perception of it. It seems both more delicate and geometrically stronger.
We opened up, unfolded, stepped back.
We added natural light, interesting geometry and revealed existing textures.
Rosie the whippet was vector of this part of the brief, that was always “ Rosie will love this nook”.
We gave space for the unknown, the undefined.
Photography: Henry Woide
Stylist: Alma + Midori