This project began on site as a global pandemic was ending and a war in Europe was beginning. Construction costs escalated wildly in the first few months. Before long the economic strain began to show on the construction site. Work slowed down. Faces changed, sub-contractors were replaced, and the impetus was lost. The transformation from drawings into building became protracted. But with perseverance the house was completed.
The finished product, with the dogged persistence and collaboration of our building and design team is evidence of the promise in the early drawings. A fine, though compact one-room deep city terraced house, was repaired and resurrected. The original period rooms at the front have been bookended with a double-height concrete shell offering social spaces of a surprisingly generous scale. The three-storey stack of period rooms in the house became bedrooms, while the new double height space to the rear layers the more social programs of work spaces, reading areas, bar, dining and kitchen, overlooking a city garden. The house benefits from demand-controlled ventilation, is wrapped in thick insulation and heated by an Air-To-Water Heat Pump.
The house was designed for young professionals - so small work-from-home spaces are dotted around the double height kitchen dining area. A mezzanine with a stove provides a living area with a small bar adjacent. It is hoped this new double height living, kitchen and dining room will encourage dynamic coexistence of activities, restoring this house as a vibrant and ebullient urban home.
