Preservation of the large rooms without introducing internal walls
was the key to preserving the essence of the original building.
Various functions were required to accompany the main open plan
reception, living and family spaces along with the inclusion of a
new kitchen and larder, music, craft, tv and garden rooms.
The solution lay in plugging onto the sides of the old building a
series of discreet new blocks. These are built from handmade
Petersen bricks, each connected and yet dislocated from the
original architecture. They form liminal spaces, transitional
between the house and its urban garden setting and only attached
to the existing architecture and to each other by frameless glass
links. They look upon one another via glazed side elevations. Each
has a green roof to help them blend with the landscaping. The
simplicity of these pure forms not competing but deferring to the
vast more adorned Victorian architecture and details permits two
discreet spatial realms to function in harmony.
An important feature of Stuart Robertson’s design is the central
staircase.
When constructing basements under buildings the staircase allows
not only a connection between underground and overground, but
by using a large helical open staircase, light can flow from the
large rooflight above down into every nook and cranny below,
permeating the basement somewhat like an atrium and allowing
the interplay of light and shadow.
A KEY FOCUS WAS THE NEED TO DISPLAY THE CLIENT’S
LARGE CONTEMPORARY ART COLLECTION. WINDOWS
ON ALL ELEVATIONS OF THE BUILDING DID NOT PROVIDE
MUCH WALL SPACE FOR HANGING ART (OR FOR THE
EASY INCORPORATION OF STORAGE).