A bookshelf slides back to reveal a secret examine within this loft, renovated by architect Alexander Martin for an Arts and Crafts-fashion home in London’s Hampstead.
The formerly disused space now gives a guest room and examine for the north-London residence, which is owned by a couple who the two work in the imaginative industries – a single in photography, and the other in television.
“The clientele needed it to function as an extension of the property, but there was also to be a feeling that you have been going on vacation when you went upstairs,” explained Martin.
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“They needed it to be a study area, a residing/sleeping region and a basic hangout space for the family.”
The space has a T-shaped plan, so it created sense to divide it into 3 rooms.
The south-facing region is the widest of the three wings, so this grew to become the living space. A compact bathroom was produced on the east side, even though the west wing was converted into a review.
To develop an additional degree of privacy for this third room, it was concealed behind a moving wall with an integrated bookshelf.
To enter, residents simple push one particular side of the wall and it slides back on runners embedded in the floor and ceiling.
Martin describes this addition as “a new twist on the hidden library door”. It makes it possible for the research to turn out to be a separated space for quiet working.
Each the walls and the angled ceilings have been lined with rough-sawn wooden boards, which were whitewashed to maintain the room searching vibrant and airy. This detail refers to the aesthetic of a beach hut or chalet – a nod to the thought of getting on holiday.
This is complemented by the joinery. As well as the bookshelf door, there are created-in shelves and cupboards in the living area, while the review attributes a bespoke oak desk.
“We created all the joinery ourselves, but what was nice on this venture was that the clients were very specific with their specifications,” the architect told Dezeen.
“For illustration, the drawers of the examine had been sized to fit photo archive boxes, and the residing area unit was made to house a stereo and vinyl collection. With the far more complicated items, this kind of as the sliding shelving unit, we worked with a joiner to guarantee the design and style worked.”
In the bathroom, square teal-coloured tiles line the walls of the moist areas.
Despite the fact that these particulars are all very modern, Martin insists that the fashion is in trying to keep with the unique Arts and Crafts character of the residence, situated just a few streets away from the Hampstead Garden Suburb – the district planned by Raymond Unwin at the begin of the 20th century.
“The clientele have respected the Arts and Crafts characteristics of the property,” he said.
“The loft area is far more modern nevertheless the dark oak employed for the desktop and flooring together with the sanitaryware, furnishings and use of the same paint colour mean that the area is not incongruous with the rest of the residence, but complements it quite nicely.”
There are 5 skylights in total, ensuring there is a lot of organic light. Some vintage lighting fixtures were also set up, each in the study and the residing spot.
Photography is by Richard Chivers.
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