Working with low embodied carbon strategy in our project in Hampstead we go beyond Fabric First approach and have turned our attention to the interiors. Exploring how different low carbon materials and wall finishes shape the atmosphere and the experience of the indoors.
We start with the most sustainable option of retaining, reclaiming and reusing as much of what is already there as possible. We continue by complementing the found with the new, low carbon materials such as natural timber, timber-based products and natural, lime-based finishes.
The new ash and oak stairs and paneling sit well alongside the reclaimed oak parquet with its aged warmth and beauty, while the grey-stained birch and beech plywood create a quiet, understated backdrop to the reclaimed mahogany flooring.
Lining the openings in external walls with through-coloured lime render, we draw the colours and textures of the exterior brickwork into the interior, enriching the experiences of transitioning between the two. Juxtaposing this boldness with smooth, pale lime plaster and its subtle texture, introduces the sense of calm which the timber carries on.
