neighbourhood was commissioned by an actor and surf enthusiast to design a small building in his back garden to replace the existing dilapidated shed. It needed to incorporate a space for writing, storage for surf boards and garden tools as well as create a peaceful retreat away from the house, which could also accommodate the occasional teenage party.
The design responded to the brief by creating three separate spaces for these needs. The relaxation and writing spaces wrap around an external terrace which catches the morning sun. The main space opens up at right angles from the house to give a long and peaceful view across the gardens
The external timber cladding was designed and chosen for its warmth and its form helps create a “cabin-in-the-woods”, which was something of an inspiration for the client.
Shortlisted for Architects Journal Small Projects Award 2016
Materials: Cedar, Birch Ply, reclaimed quarry tiles.
Client: Dominic and Emma Coleman
Location: Greenwich, London
Completion: 2015
Photos by Rory Gardiner
Neighbourhood studio worked in conjunction with Sadie Snelson Architects to extend the living space of a terraced Victoria house in Stoke Newington, London and maximise storage space for the two academics and their three children.
At the rear of the extension, Douglas Fir beams run down the wall to form storage units and provide a natural link to the garden. Full-height doors conceal utility units and a concrete floor was chosen for its ability to withstand the wear and tear of family life. The contrasting use of materials helps to create a subtle definition between the kitchen and seating/reading areas. Aluminium framed sliding glazed doors were incorporated to open the space up to the garden and optimise light.
neighbourhood studio was tasked with refurbishing and extending a 19th century house in Nunhead, South-East London to create a more spacious home for a family of four.
The kitchen was expanded to accommodate a dining area that connects with the re modelled garden. The design takes cues from the existing building; the roof mirrors the pitch of the existing rear projection which allows a greater volume of space internally, creating an abundance of space and light.
As the heart of the house, it was important that the new space generated a warm and welcoming feel, this was achieved by incorporating features such as an arched window, exposed ceiling joists and bespoke timber joinery.
Making Places is an initiative set up by Waltham Forest Council, London. It is an ambitious arts and cultural programme which aims to deliver creative projects that residents can enjoy and will help make the borough a better place to be. Projects will have a lasting impact on local communities, creating places which are brighter, safer and where residents and visitors enjoy spending time.
neighbourhood studio entered the open call competition with a playful re-imaging of the classic picnic bench.
The site is currently home to four slightly tired looking picnic benches. Our plan was to re purpose the existing concrete bases setting them out to create a smooth and sinuous form, curving to accommodate the three large trees which inhabit the site.
A colourful table top and benches would be made from lightly polished pigmented concrete in a variety of sympathetic tones. In laid graphically illustrated culinary motifs would evoke a welcoming feeling of domestic cosiness and reflect the family orientated nature of the park, whilst integrated board games would encourage social gatherings. Barbecue facilities on concrete bases would be interspersed around the curve.
The picnic benches would sit on an asphalt surface, which follows the geometry of the table element, inviting passers-by to enter the space.
The vision was for a high level of craftsmanship which would be sympathetic to the budget due to the simplicity of the design.
Making Places is an initiative set up by Waltham Forest Council, London. It is an ambitious arts and cultural programme which aims to deliver creative projects that residents can enjoy and will help make the borough a better place to be. Projects will have a lasting impact on local communities, creating places which are brighter, safer and where residents and visitors enjoy spending time.
neighbourhood studio entered the open call competition and was shortlisted for the canopy in Low Hall Sports Ground.
Our proposal was a simple, bespoke series of interventions which would create an inviting journey through the woodland by means of welcoming entrance areas, widening and enlivening the pathway, and creating an enchanting performance area:
Entrance zones at both ends of the pathway were proposed with a Terrazzo chequerboard pattern, reminiscent of Victorian hallways, set into the surface of the path.
A performance area composed of a canopy hanging in the treetops with visually linked steps and seating on the woodland floor would form an open and permanently available performance space, suited to both ad-hoc and planned performances. A sturdy, elegant, warm and magical feel was sought for this though the use of charred timber as the main material forming both canopy and items on the ground, combined with gold leaf on the canopy. The family of charred timber elements could also be expanded throughout the woodland depending on feedback from the local user groups and available budget.
neighbourhood studios designed a salon for new brand aer blowdry bar. The client was keen to create the feeling of comfortable luxury - an inviting space which offers a place to socialise and relax whilst being pampered.
Working in collaboration with Frank&Faber, neighbourhood studio introduced a soft, luxurious palette of creams and pinks for the main salon styling area. In the rear room, a subdued racing green was chosen for its refined, understated elegance. The contrasting palettes help create a delicate and clear separation between the two functional spaces.Douglas Fir was used for the multi-functional styling bays and tarnished brass detailing and exposed brickwork further enhance the contemporary aesthetic.
Aer was recently voted one of the 6 best blow-dry bars by Vogue alongside fellow client George Northwood.
Materials: Douglas Fir with Tarnished Brass accents.
Client: aer blowdry bar
Contractor: Octagon Ltd
Location: Old Brompton Road, London
Completion: 2015
neighbourhood studio designed a hair salon for award winning hairdresser George Northwood (in conjunction with Neil Wilson Architects).
George wanted to create a space which reflected his sense of style, whilst also incorporating the existing 1930s features. We worked with him to achieve this by designing and accessorising the space to feel like a home from home. Full height bespoke brushed steel and reclaimed timber shelving provide an unobtrusive screening from the outside street and display George’s personal trinkets and photographs of friends. Styling stations fashioned from raw, unfinished metal and marble bring a contemporary, elegant edge, whilst herringbone flooring adds a natural warmth.George Northwood was recently voted one of the 6 best blow-dry bars by Vogue, alongside fellow client Aer Blowdry Bar
Client: George Northwood
Contractor: Bluecrow Projects
Location: Wells Street, London
Completion: 2014
neighbourhood and studio P were invited to submit a proposal for a canopy to enclose the rooftop of Brooksby's Walk bar and restaurant in Clapton.
Our initial interpretation of the client brief allowed for an addition to the existing rooftop for the creation of:
1. An enclosed, heatable area for up to 41 seated customers that may be used all-year-round, whilst
providing a lively and postive contribution to the street facade.
2. New access up to a raised, partially-covered roof terrace.
3. A potential new roof position for the solar panels currently on site.
Due to the limited budget and the volume of the space that needed to be enclosed, we felt the structural approach would go a long way towards defining the character of the new first floor, and as such should be thought of as a key driver for the design. We proposed an expressed timber trussed structure that could simultaneously span the required distances with minimal lengths, which would create a generous volume beneath and help define the different zones of use.
In terms of materials, we proposed a basic palette of timber structural elements, infilled with a mixture of plywood, OSB (orientated strand board) and polycarbonate which would suit this scale of intervention and budget. We felt that this straightforward approach to the main structure would provide a base onto which smaller-scale atmospheric and playful interventions could be incorporated.
Materials : Plywood, OSB, Polycarbonate.
Client: Clapton Improvement Society
Contractor: N/A
Location: Clapton, London
Completion: N/A
neighbourhood studio in collaboration with Sadie Snelson Architects was tasked with extending a family home in Stoke Newington, London creating a bright new dining area that opens onto the garden.
The side return extension comprises kitchen, dining and extra storage space. A central pod formed of full-height xx doors in yellow neatly house the utility functions.
Sliding aluminium framed, glazed doors replaced the existing bay window, whilst multiple skylights were inserted into the extended ceiling to maximise natural light.
Client: Private
Contractor: Private
Location: Stoke Newington, London
Completion: 2013
