The client required a flexible home that would allow for longevity of use. The relationship of the building to the exterior was important for the photographer client. Light was an important consideration with the site being bound on 2 sides and light only permissible through the front elevation.Frame house refers both to the concrete frame and framing of views of the urban location; cinematic ideas have been important from the beginning of our collaboration. The small plot dictated a four storey house with one main function per floor. Living space is at the top of the house, with a roof garden accessed through a rear courtyard.Only the street frontage could provide windows so a palette of frameless, structural glass allows light to penetrate. The structure is designed to allow for two extra storeys in the future, a lift shaft has been also been incorporated.The site is an urban infill and a challenge in construction terms with the house filling the site to the boundaries. The house was predominantly cast in situ with exposed concrete walls, polished concrete floors and industrial finishes dominating the interior. With only the front elevation to allow light into the building a glazed elevation allows north light to penetrate the living areas. Large, bespoke Walnut doors have been incorporated into the façade to maximise light and introduce a softer, warmer material. The material palette has been carried through the interior to merge with the exterior.At third floor level, a courtyard at the rear brings more light into the building and gives access to the roof terrace above. The sequencing of these revealed industrial finishes on such a tight site have been the main technical challenge of the build. Light fittings have been cast-in, all services required careful co-ordination.
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