CASE STUDY A DIFFERENT ANGLE
Architect Lanre Falase adapted an existing design to create a striking home for his family in south London, full of unique quirks and clever elements that maximise its tight, triangular site
TEXT TOM BODDY IMAGES LUKASZ WIELKOSZYNSKI & BOLANS ARCHITECTS “I
am actually still in awe that we did it, and so pleased and proud of how we managed to bring it all together.” These
are the words of Tope Medupin describing her family’s home in Ladywell, south east London, which she shares with husband Lanre Falase and their two young daughters. Squeezed into a tight site on a quiet, tree-lined road, the house, which is clad in striking black bricks, sits just a few miles from the bustle of central London. After a challenging journey, with the build coming slap bang in the middle of the pandemic, the couple have created an unconventional but elegant threeoor house, which has cleverly adapted to the tight, triangular site. Although its bold and irregular exterior contrasts with the surrounding Victorian terraces, the home doesn’t impose on the street, and actually appears as an extension of the neighbouring dwelling.
ORIGINS Lanre is founder of Bolans Architects, and brought his expertise to bear as the project architect for their build, adapting another architect’s previous design for the site. Not only does he have extensive experience working on residential projects, the couple’s previous ‘one and a hal bedroom rented at in nearby orest Hill needed a complete overhaul, which saw Lanre getting his hands dirty. “It was laborious,” he admits, but at the same time it was “really fun to do. With the limited resources we had, it was great to make something out of it.” Having raised their first daughter there or
three years, it was filled with special memories But with a new baby, a bigger place was needed to accommodate their needs. By a random coincidence they discovered the small plot in Ladywell, and were tempted by the fact it had already obtained planning permission for a modern home (designed by Sketch Architects). The couple instantly began working out the feasibility of going ahead with the purchase, and in the process they fell in love with the site. Very soon after, working alongside a broker, they put in a carefully chosen offer, however a developer
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quickly outbid them. As a last resort, Tope wrote to the architects to say that if it became available again “for whatever reason,” they would “still be very interested.” Eventually, they found a “gorgeous” house further south in Anerley, and put in an offer. They were just about to sign the contract when the phone rang. The developers had pulled out in Ladywell, and the site was up for grabs again, and so they aced a dificult decision Stic to the safe bet, or buy the site with potential in Ladywell? With the couple’s creative nature coupled
to Lanre’s architectural expertise, they soon decided to plump for the latter. “We knew we could do it. There were of course many risks, but with us having experience, it just made sense really,” explains Lanre. Their new offer was accepted, and so their self-build journey began.
TRIANGULATING IDEAS Despite the approved design by Sketch Architects’ design being “beautifully considered, it needed specific alterations to transform it into a family home. “We looked at the buildability and eficiency o their design, and how we could enhance it to work for us,” says Lanre. Being a triangular shaped site positioned at the end of a row of terraces, the project called for an unconventional solution. Lanre and Tope wanted to create a home which displayed architectural air, but which also provided practical and comfortable spaces for their family. “We wanted to design a really nice, modern home, but at the same time I didn’t want people to visit and feel like they can’t touch anything,” explains Tope. It was a chance to “test all the ideas you’ve had over the years,” but also to factor in how it would work with a baby and a five year old
Smart storage was also a big component of the design for the couple. Becoming parents means “you start to accumulate all this stuff,” says Tope, “and I knew we’d have to take it all with us to the new home but I just didn’t want to see it.” Throughout the home, different pockets of bespoke storage allows the children’s toys
sep/oct 2022 HIGH POINT
“Seeing the brick work go up. It was just stunning, and you got a feel of what the finished house would look like.” - Tope
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