Vaulted House is a new-build four-bedroom family house, located on an infill site, hidden behind a garage door in Hammersmith. It was previously a diesel contaminated taxi garage, surrounded by 11 party walls and overlooked by 24 neighbours.
Sharply detailed vaulted roofs define different living zones on the open upper-ground floor. Roof-lights at the top of each vault flood the landlocked site with daylight. Large courtyards bring light into the bedrooms on the lower-ground floor. The roofs are covered in a striking chequered pattern of single-ply membrane. The vault geometry repeats in details of the house, including the fireplace, floors, windows and entrance.
A steel and timber frame spans off the existing walls to create the roof and floor structure. The geometry of the roof appears simple but is in fact incredibly complicated. It was modeled in 3D software to ensure that the huge steel beams were completely hidden in the crisp angled finishes inside and by the roof finishes outside.
A double-height den has access to the garden and a separate study provides acoustic privacy with a view through to the living space. A big double-sliding pocket door opens up completely, turning the dining room into a loggia in the summer.
A mechanical heat exchange system and thick insulation make for an energy efficient home. A study allows for working from home or can become a spare bedroom. The entrance is stepped up to meet flood requirements but these are wide and gentle for ease of access.