HOUSE OF REFLECTION

Experimental new-build courtyard house in Westminster

W11

House of Reflection is a new build, two storey house on a tight urban site in the Westbourne Conservation Area in London Borough of Westminster. The building replaced a small house which stood on the site since the 1980s. The concept behind the house was to reinstate the garden wall which would originally have been found here and site the house discretely behind the wall. The house in almost entirely inward looking, an unexpected escape from the busy city outside. The use of mirrors and high level glazing creates tantalising glimpses of the outside world, a passing cloud, a reflection of a nearby building, a glimpse of tree canopy. Using a restrained palette of materials the house creates a feeling of seclusion and calm, enhanced by the shafts of sun light which are invited in though the lantern roof. In the centre of the house is the courtyard, around which everything is wrapped, focused on the single acer tree and climbing plants in the centre. An oasis in the heart of the city.

The elevation is made up of different layers of materials, or ‘strata’, which relate to the materials found on the grand villas which sit adjacent to the house. The yellow stock London brickwork mirrors the old garden wall which would have once been here, then there is a layer of white long format brickwork which references the white stucco found on the neighbouring houses. Above this is the ‘lantern’, which is a glazed clerestory structure wrapped in brass mesh, to reference the aged colour of London brick found on the surrounding houses. The brass will develop a patina over time and turn a darker brown colour.

The house almost entirely fills the small site to make the most efficient use of the space available. The plan is based around a small internal courtyard which spans both floors, creating a mini riad, with all of the rooms looking into this central external atrium. The main living spaces are on the ground floor, the living room on one side of the courtyard and the kitchen on the other, visually linked with sliding doors. Both of these spaces have high ceilings, created by the oak lined lantern, which brings in sunlight from the east and west and allows views out of the house to the surrounding sky and trees, whilst maintaining complete privacy internally.

The entrance door and gate from the street are clad in brass, to match the mesh cladding which around the lantern. Over time this will develop a darker patina and complement the London stock brickwork. The house has a monochrome palette internally of polished concrete and oak, with the exception of the WC which is finished in a bold yellow on all surfaces to create a pop of colour.

Mirrors are used throughout the house to reflect light deep into the plan and create the illusion of larger spaces. They also offer tantalising unexpected glimpses of the outside world from various points throughout the house. The end walls of the courtyard are clad in mirrored stainless steel which create an almost infinite reflection, making the small external space at the heart of the house seem much larger and creating a greater density of planting.

The raised ‘lantern’ roof above the living spaces creates a datum line, above which all of the surfaces are finished in oak, adding warmth and texture to the house, further emphasised when the sunlight falls across the surface.

Rooflights and glass floors are also used to bring light deep into the house, ensuring the basement feels light, has good access to ventilation and still has views to the sky and outside world. A stainless steel mesh balustrade picks up the detail of the mesh cladding on the outside of the house.

Two bedrooms and bathrooms are located in the basement. The ensuite bathroom is a narrow space, defined by the exposed concrete wall which supports the ground floor and roof structure. A large sunken bath which also functions as a shower has a slot window to give views into the courtyard garden. The bathroom is lined in Carrera marble, which a subtlety ribbed texture on the walls and a brushed finish on the floor and in the bath.

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

BASEMENT PLAN

SECTION

SECTION MODEL

House of Reflection is a unique response to a difficult urban site, working with the constraints of the conservation area to create a complementary and contemporary piece of architecture. The house offers an escape from the busy world outside, designed to create a sense of calm and tranquillity through the use of light and materials, a home for living and a place for reflection.

Photographs by Richard Chivers