WORK GOES ON – CONSTRUCTION
After the long, hot Summer, the signs of a cooler, calmer Autumn have been welcomed by everyone on site.
The final stages of our remodelling of a Regency townhouse in Maida Vale are coming together. Witnessing the transformation is both exciting and rewarding.
The careful restoration and energy upgrade of the protected historic windows and doors help return the interiors to their original grandeur, but prevent the heat losses we associate with tall spaces and their large, old windows.
The final coats of paint and the installation of the specialist cabinetry bring the new interiors to life. Though awaiting the ultimate unveiling, the cabinetry is already able to communicate the design purpose, intended function, and narrative for each room.
This project signifies the simultaneous return of a 19th century townhouse to its original grandeur and the opening of a new chapter of an elegant, warm and timeless family home.
ON THE DRAWING BOARD
On a different scale, and by very different means, another project is taking shape in our studio. We built a physical cardboard model and studied the effects of the sun path on the interiors of a detached house we are comprehensively redesigning and retrofitting.
In order to understand how best to prevent overheating without the installation of air-conditioning, we mimicked the movement of the sunlight on the building and studied the shadows it would cast on the interiors. This highlighted the need for different degrees of shading subject to the orientation of the facades. We know that south and west-facing facades require the most rigorous shading and that the most effective forms of shading are those applied externally.
The model illustrated the effectiveness of simply setting the windows deep into the very back of the external walls. In both the additionally insulated existing brick walls and the structural grid of the new-built wall, these south and west-facing windows gain deep shadows cast during the hottest hours of Summer.
Another form of external shading for the ground floor glazing comes from a pergola planted with deciduous plants as the deepest shade is present during Summer months only.
COMPLETED
Summer may be over, but if you’re looking for a little inspiration to brighten the Autumn days, head to our portfolio to explore our most recently completed project. There are many more projects listed there, so everyone can find something interesting.
