This new build scheme, situated on one of the oldest streets in Stoke Newington, provides two 3-bedroom houses, a triplex and a 1-bedroom flat. Through design ingenuity quality housing is achieved at a relatively high density, carved out of a troubled and awkward brownfield site.
Significantly overlooked and overshadowed to the rear, the low-rise building form has been closely calibrated using the BRE daylighting guide to avoid injuring the surrounding neighbours’ amenity.
Unconventional roofs have been carefully shaved and angled to achieve maximum daylight levels and privacy. Along the street, planted terraces and green roofs step up in a ziggurat form to ensure an animated and unusually green streetscape.
At the heart of each dwelling is a double height family room. North facing windows provide ample natural light, aided further by clerestory glazing at the terrace level above.
Living rooms address the street, providing surveillance and security. The rear ‘concertina’ elevation is clad in lime washed softwood timber, achieving a both visually and acoustically soft elevation to the neighbouring buildings.
Construction is of pre-fabricated cross-laminated timber, exposed internally where possible with bespoke Douglas Fir skirting boards and timber flooring throughout. Along the street elevation, brick set in lime mortar is chosen for its robustness.
Whole-house ventilation with heat recovery, triple glazing and high levels of air tightness ensure that Church Walk acts as an example of how careful, sustainable design can greatly enhance the value of difficult inner city sites.
Location: London, England Architect: DavidMikhail and Annalie Riches Year: 2012