The Whatcott’s Yard new build housing project is a terrace of timber-framed houses and flats built by its architect occupiers, Annalie Riches, Silvia Ullmayer and Barti Garibaldo. The development consists of two 2-bedroom houses and two studio flats. It is situated in North London in a brownfield, former industrial site between two rows of Victorian terraces

The experiment was to capture the essence of a terrace, a traditional housing type whilst developing a common framework that would allow the occupiers to accommodate their varying briefs: Within a common structural framework Floor plates, partitions and staircases have been placed according to the individual ‘s requirements, creating a diverse variety of spatial arrangements within identical volumes.

Materials used were low cost every day materials, e.g. polycarbonate cladding, coupled with materials from renewable sources, the main structure built from Masonite & Parallam is insulated with recycled newspaper & sheep’s wool. The roof is covered with sedum plants, existing materials such as granite sets & brick walls were re-used.

House 1 by Annalie Riches is a 2 bedroomed house with the living accommodation on the first floor, making use of the increased light levels and views onto neighbouring trees. The house steps up around a double height garden room maximising access and aspect onto the garden.

The houses have a sense of space and light and space which belie their dense urban context and small foot print of 45m2. They are unique, joyful places for living.