Influenced by the leafy characterand dappled light of the
Islington street, fourth_space chose a facade that responds
to this local ambience. The light brickwork contrasts with the
adjacent neighboring properties and is modulated by a darker
central glazed brick section that reflects the sunlight as it passes
through the trees, creating a subtle shimmering effect and a
sense of movement on what could have otherwise been a static
facade.
At the rear elevation of the property, fourth_space constructed a
128sqm living wall that covers three storeys of the property. This
vertical garden adds to the greenery of the tree filled Grosvenor
Avenue, reducing the negative visual impact on neighbours and
enhances the long-term biodiversity and sustainability of the
scheme.
Upon entering the building you are met with a rough faced highly
textured concrete interior that contrasts with the sharply defined
brickwork envelope of the interior. Pairing this with smooth resin
‘concrete’ floors, a raw steel balustrade and dramatic ‘Tornado’
and ‘Gant’ concrete light fittings, the common parts of the
building have a distinct feel inspired by mid-century design and
architects such as John Lautner and Denys Lasdun.
The apartments themselves were rooted in expressing materials
naturally to create a more timeless aesthetic, with herringbone
solid oak flooring, bespoke sapele joinery brushed brass fittings
and fixtures and the continuing resin ‘concrete’ flooring. The units
each receive ample sunlight from either end of the property,
whereby the presence of the trees gives a sense of living within
a suburban-like canopy. Each unit is given both front and rear
terraces lined in a dark composite decking, which overlooking
Islington and the nearby Canonbury station.
www.fourthspace.co.uk
THE LIGHT BRICKWORK CONTRASTS WITH THE ADJACENT
NEIGHBORING PROPERTIES AND IS MODULATED BY A
DARKER CENTRAL GLAZED BRICK SECTION THAT REFLECTS
THE SUNLIGHT AS IT PASSES THROUGH THE TREES.
Images: www.garethgardner.com