Quarter Glass House

A sequence of stepped levels has been created to define kitchen, dining, terrace and lawn in a ‘controlled descent’ from house to garden, adding height, light and volume.

To allow the space to engage positively with the garden, floors were lowered sequentially from house to garden, resulting in dramatic height and volume. Differing neighbouring extension extents prompted a ‘wraparound’ that was kinked in plan and section to respect modest development heights at the boundaries. This created a unique triangulated form.

Four distinct ‘quarter glass’ windows are shaped in response to the site-generated geometry of the new extension, much like a car’s quarter glass windows respond to its angular form. Materially, an exposed Douglas fir timber roof structure creates warmth in the ceiling, complemented by calming tones of copper, microcement and painted cabinets.