PROJECT REPORT: SELFBUILD & CUSTOM BUILD PROJECTS
“tucked away” gym sit to the west. The height of the atrium is surprising after the relatively familiarly-scaled exterior. It contains a dark, industrial open staircase and balustraded gallery leading to the bedrooms, which are on the first floor. This form contrasts with the white space, but visually ties in with the dark, Crittall-style frames of the glazed screen, and the other Crittall windows. At the same time, says Hill, “what’s cool is that you’re almost at ceiling level height when looking down into the living spaces, framing these interesting views to the rear.” The screened vertical core as well as the level change means the living areas, despite being open plan, do feel distinctly separated from the rest of the house, enhancing privacy for the bedrooms upstairs, with only a minimal amount of connection. “They have one little window looking through from a walkway between the master and the ensuite – it’s like an enclosed private quarter, but they can look into the atrium.”
As well as their daughters’ bedrooms at the front of the house, – there are two to the rear, plus the master suite. Arriving at the right layout was “very collaborative,” says Hill, with “lots of backwards and forwards with the client.” The architects use ArchiCAD to provide 3D and VR-compatible walkthroughs; “We’re pushing clients to really engage with us to look at as many options as possible, to have it in VR helps a hell of a lot, to work out what a 2D drawing means in the space,” he says. “It saves so many discussions on site, the more detail we can have the better.” The client chose not to go for substantial attic space, instead there’s a vaulted ceiling in the master bedroom and ensuite; “the floor area isn’t that large but the height adds a lot of drama.” In one of the girls’ bedrooms is a “Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe moment,” where a wardrobe secretes a steep fixed stair leading to a secluded roof space; the only occupied area on the ‘second floor.’ Despite the seclusion, a window enables them to still see the entrance.
Sustainability
The house has been designed to maximise sustainability, with a full fill of Knauf Earthwool recycled mineral wool insulation in the 100 mm cavity behind the brick facades, the product having been recommended to the architects by non-profit group Green Register. Hill says that due to the major
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impact of correct installation on building performance, builders “play a massive part in a house’s sustainability.” Barnet Council requested ‘microgeneration,’ so a roof array of PVs was added. Says Hill, “we are always aiming for Passivhaus levels, but we haven’t got there yet.” He adds, “for clients, Passivhaus is a novelty, until more people start talking about it, it’s not on their priority list.” The house is equipped with MVHR, the plant housed in the ground
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