EDIT FOOTER COLOUR CODE HERE
Non Boxy Lofty
Honor Oak / London
Completed 2021
Local Authority Lewisham Council
Build Team: Bartek Construction
We see box after box plonked on top of our existing houses devoid of character and detail. Councils are increasingly resistant to overbearing boxy lofts but we find they are so often terrified to embrace the detail of more challenging designs. Our roofs should be spaces to create beautiful jewelled spaces a not a cheap poorly built after thought.
Natural Light
We worked hard to bring as much natural light into the spaces whilst giving the dining and kitchen spaces privacy. In these spaces it was important to track the natural light around the spaces with sliding windows, Celestory windows and a wrap around window to reach the kitchen up towards the sky.
To bring as much light into the landing and living spaces as possible a perforated metal staircase drops through the spaces connecting the two levels. Red zinc was used to clad the loft spaces with a sedum roof bringing a biodiverse habitat to the top of the building.
Split Level Spaces
Split level living spaces can work really well at loft level to provide dynamic living spaces for those without a private garden. We re-imagined a way in which to work within the existing front roof volume by creating a double height sitting room that stretches up to meet the kitchen.
Colour
Colour was used throughout to create separate zones within open plan spaces - the sitting room is open to the study but colour clearly defines the two spaces. The bedroom spaces similarly have a split colour approach.
Concept Sketches
Concept Sketch
Initial sketch section of staircase to loft
Concept Sketch
Initial sketch aerial view of proposed loft extension
Project Summary
Dont Move Improve
This project was award winning as part of the Don’t Move Improve Architectural Awards.
Staircase Design
The NBL is clad in a red zinc with standing seam finish bringing warmer tones to the roof rather than the traditional grey. The ribbed profile separates the windows so that from the outside the number of windows bringing natural light into the spaces is hidden and the loft feels more unified in form. A sedum roof bring biodiversity to the top of the building - why have a flat grey roof to a mansard when you can green it up. Its a no brainer in our book
Deep Red Zinc
The slim profile of the folding staircase to our NBL project is laser cut and perforated to ensure that natural light can pass through it to the spaces below. We worked with @designandweld to design and fabricate the staircase that needed to look as visually lightweight as possible. The connecting element is the balustrade design that sketches from the loft down to the first floor spaces seeming to form a mesh and continous design feature across both living levels of the flat.