Design Challenge and Design Ideas

The interior brief was for a comfortable family home, that would successfully address the issues of light, space and materials. This was to be expressed with a richness of colour and texture to be balanced with a simplicity and warmth. This approach developed as a reflection of both client and context.

How the brief was fulfilled

The house responds internally to the sloping site with a stepped section that gives an increasing ceiling height as one descends. From the entrance hall the garden is glimpsed and then gradually revealed. A massive roof light over the stairway creates a light well into the dining space, which draws light down deep into the ground floor plan; additional light wells over the kitchen and rear living area ensure that the spaces are bright and comfortable notwithstanding their orientation. The house revolves around a painted brick central spine which contains large sheeted oak pocket sliders extending and restricting the spaces as required. The calm white texture of the painted brick is contrasted with the warmth of oak, both on walls and floors, with brass detail and additional bold colour in secondary spaces, and in the front living room. Bespoke joinery, both loose and fitted is present throughout. Televisions are concealed, window seats materialize and the project is conceived as a single entity with the logic of detail consistent throughout. The considered panel of materials is complemented by soft furnishings and textiles, selected to add warmth and comfort as required.