Southwark Mews House
South-East London
Planning Consent Granted Spring 2020
A new dwelling in a Mews in south-east London to provide a home for a photographer and his wife.
The proposal replaces an existing ancillary building with a new and contemporary house that makes the most of its site whilst avoiding potential overlooking and privacy issues. The existing topography of the site and the relative heights of the neighbouring buildings are exploited to create a dynamic split level dwelling which forms a natural hierarchy of spaces.
The main living space is envisaged as a high-ceilinged studio, with a more intimate seating area at a sunken level off the main space, and a kitchen which by virtue of the levels nestles into the rear garden. The client’s aspirations for a bathroom with an outlook to external space is met by creating a sunken glazed shower off a first floor terrace which is completely hidden from external view. A further rear terrace helps increase the external amenity space afforded by the constrained site.
Matreially, the proposed house references the original language and nature of the mews but uses familiar yet particular materials; Petersen brick and scalloped anodised aluminium panels. The relatively closed front facade is a contrast to a more open rear facade which helps give the home the feeling of a retreat from urban life.