Folding Floor House
With a narrow 8m frontage, Crosshatch sought to understand, borrow, weave and tie together this new kid on the block with the language of its neighbours, whilst delivering a contemporary, considered and striking home.The core opportunity for a reinterpreted form was presented by a converted slipper factory directly opposite. By mirroring the sawtooth roof, the function of this classic mid-century warehouse roofline was repurposed and reinterpreted, in a folding slab and roof that allowed scale and light penetration deep within the home. The striking and intriguing form that resulted, opened up opportunities internally to fold the requirements of the programme through the ground and first floors.
Photography by © Jaime Diaz-Berrio The front elevation mirrors the height of the neighbouring townhouses to the west. This harmony with next door continues back through the site with the small internal courtyard in line with next door?s setback, utilising the vertical space to flood the kitchen with light. Distinctive bands from the apartment block to the east are reapplied to the frontage through spandrel and window treatments. Brick, timber and steel are used in a highly detailed combination to unify these sampled elements, creating an elegant and contemporary façade that feels right at home.
Rhythmic arrangement. Punctuated by the strong steel lines that define the folds, the distinctive timber fins soften the angular form and are a beautiful yet hard worki...