Architects: Delvendahl Martin Architects www.dm-architects.co.uk
Photographs: Tim Crocker www.timcrocker.co.uk
The project involved the conversion of
two semi-detached houses in central
Oxford into one family home. Two
existing Victorian houses are joined
together by introducing a new staircase
clad in stained timber at the centre of the
plan and perpendicular to the party wall.
The existing symmetrical arrangement
gets thus rotated to achieve a continuous
flow of spaces throughout each floor.
The change of level from the entrance
to the back garden is negotiated
through a second staircase, in this case
constructed using recovered bricks from
the demolition works, and a new loggia
accessible from the kitchen and main
living room of the house. The loggia
occupies a rear extension between the
outriggers. It was built using materials of
contrasting colours to the original houses
in order to highlight the new construction
and create a strong visual link, making
the building look like one house as it was
originally intended.
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The façade is articulated with a series
of deep anodized aluminium blades
that filter the daylight and mitigate
overlooking to the adjacent houses. The
glass screen can be fully opened to make
the space feel like an elevated terrace,
facing the two rear gardens where the
original dividing wall was retained.
All the fitted furniture and most of the
fittings, including lights, door handles
and handrails were designed specifically
for the house.