Located in a North London conservation area and landlocked behind Victorian terrace housing, Garden House aims to maximise the sense of space and natural light available within the confines of its small, north-facing site.

Replacing an existing single-storey workshop built in the mid 1990s, the project comprises of a simple rectilinear plan at ground level and a three-sided conical roof form above.

The angled form of the roof design seeks to maximise the internal footprint while protecting the outlook and amenity of neighbouring properties.

The building is entered through an enclosed courtyard with a large skylight above lined with mirror-polished stainless steel to reflect light and views. A set of glazed sliding doors provides access to the only bedroom while a second set of doors lead through to an open plan living-dining-kitchen space lit by a series of small roof lights installed in one of the sloping roof sections. A utility space and bathroom positioned in the darker corner of the plan complete the ground floor plan.

An oak-lined studio space is located on the upper floor which is is also used as a fitting room and a gallery space for private exhibitions of the owners’ work. A large format roof light illuminates the space from above.

Bespoke white steel shelves providing storage and display space continue into a steel staircase set away from the wall to allow natural light to pass behind it.

Developed collaboratively with Whitaker Malem, the roof is formed as a series of lapped planting trays, containing over 800 different species. The stepped profile of the trays is intended to facilitate access for maintenance. 

The roof was designed, tested and constructed from first principles and the project intends  to provide a model of how to utilise inner city, brown-field sites.