The Gables, Northwest London Residential Conversion, Architecture Images, Interior Images

The Gables in Primrose Hill, London

5 Jun 2020

The Gables in Primrose Hill

Architects: Patalab Architecture

Location: northwest London, England

The Gables is located in a north-west London courtyard tucked between a Victorian terrace and main railway lines, this landlocked site presented a great design challenge. Patalab Architecture’s task was to convert and remodel a run-down industrial compound from the 1950’s into contemporary residential accommodation.

The buildings, once a mechanic’s garage and office, today comprise a generous open-plan three-bedroom house and two one-bedroom apartments.

Externally the buildings were re-faced, uniting what was previously a patchwork arrangement into a balanced composition. Responding to the courtyard setting a reflective metallic bronze glazed brick was used that glistens in the direct sunlight and give the development a jewel-like appearance.

Before:

Brick is also the predominant material within the interior. As walls were moved, ground floor slabs lowered and ceilings pushed up to maximize the height on the ground floor, changes in the bond of the white washed brick walls mark the previous position of these elements.

The result is a richly textured internal perimeter, imbued with the memory of place. This is contrasted with polished and rough concrete finishes, a coffered ceiling and Oak paneling.

The ground floor of the main residence accommodates the living, dining and kitchen areas. The open floor plan is structured by three elements: large openings bringing in the natural light, a sunken seating area set into the polished concrete floor and a wide staircase leading to the bedrooms on the upper floors.

Conversion and Remodeling a run-down industrial compound from the 1950’s into contemporary residential accommodation.

The Key Challenges Were:
– Dealing with a land locked site
– bringing in more natural light
– uniting three different buildings
– upgrading energy performance
– dealing with exsisting structure

The Solutions Were:
– introduction of new gables to each building
– re-cladding perimeter walls with glazed bricks
– introduction of roof lights and light shafts
– thorough analysis of the existing structure

The Sustainability Features Are:
– re-use of existing structure
– upgrading enegery performance of building envelope
– introduction of green roofs to all buildings

The Project is Unique Because:
-open plan horizontal living
– sunken seating area to provide enhanced sense of height
– combination of materials: grown, fired and poured, i.e. Oak, brick and concrete, creating a contemporary but warm interior
– sophiticated use of the exisiting structure

The Gables in Primrose Hill, Northwest London – Building Information

Architects: Patalab Architecture

Project size: 265 sqm
Site size: 400sqm
Completion date: 2014
Building levels: 2

Structural Engineers: Richard Jackson Engineering Consultants
Services Engineers: THD Consulting Engineers
Lighting Designers: Illumination Works

Key products used:
Windows: Bronze Casements by Vale
Concrete Flooring: Puur Floors Limited
Sanitary ware: Duravit
Tiling: Domus
Sunken seating area: Bill Cleyndert & Company Ltd
External bricks: Modular Clay products
Ironmongery: Williams Ironmongery

Photography: Sabrina Rothe and Lyndon Douglas

The Gables in Primrose Hill, Northwest London images / information received 050620

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