Coffey Architects covers London residence in 30,000 picket blocks

A “fanatical consideration to element” was required to finish the inside overhaul of this London residence, which Coffey Architects has coated in 1000’s of picket blocks.

Located in London’s Clerkenwell neighbourhood, the two-storey flat – named Residence Block by Coffey Architects – has been completed with a minimalist fit-out that helps “retain the drama” of the house’s historic inside.

The flat is in a constructing that was erected again in 1892 and served as a faculty earlier than being transformed for residential use within the 12 months 2000.

“The idea for the design was to rejoice the historical past of the constructing and make a transparent definition between what’s previous and new,” mentioned Ella Wright, architect on the apply.

All current interventions have thus been stripped again to unveil authentic particulars like a band of pale-green tiles that runs across the perimeter of the bottom flooring and three-metre-high sash home windows.

These are actually fronted by timber-framed linen shutters that enable pure gentle to seep inside, creating what the apply describes as an “orchestra of shadows” because the solar strikes all through the day.

Coffey Architects units small brick dwelling atop Victorian jail vaults in London

The mezzanine has additionally been prolonged by the apply to overhang the kitchen alongside a double-height dwelling space.

Surfaces all through, together with the ground and ceiling of the kitchen, have then been coated in 30,000 oak-wood blocks – the aesthetic characteristic that lends the property its title.

Every of the blocks was reduce and hand-laid by Ed McBeath from architectural contractor Woods London and joinery specialist James Wilkie.

“It’s a up to date piece of hand-crafted, inhabited joinery inserted right into a historic envelope; the 2 fused collectively in gentle and materials richness,” Wright defined.

“To realize what all of us wished relied on fanatical consideration to element and the easiest high quality in development – it is a murals and a terrific area to wake-up in,” added the shopper.

The picket blocks have additionally been included into the handrail of the staircase that leads as much as the house’s higher flooring.

It is fronted by a small examine space, which options an in-built work desk inlaid with additional blocks.

The master suite suite lies instantly behind, closed off by Japanese-style timber screens inlaid with translucent panels. Gray carpeting additionally offers the area a extra tactile really feel.

At floor degree there’s additionally a eating space that can be utilized as a second bed room when required, full with sliding pocket doorways which give extra privateness.

Residence Block is only a stone’s throw away from Coffey Architect’s 2017 mission, Hidden Home, which is constructed atop the vaults of a 19th-century jail.

The modestly-sized property is clad in reclaimed London inventory brick and is punctuated with a collection of glazed openings that retains the house brightly lit regardless of its tucked-away location.

Images is by Timothy Soar.

Challenge credit:

Architects: Coffey Architects
Contractor: Woods London
Structural engineers: Morph Buildings