Hovering House
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A refurbishment and extension of a Victorian terrace house in Notting Hill, this project is an ode to modern minimalist architecture that respects and incorporates the history of the existing Victorian construction
The client’s brief was simple, they wanted to turn the ground floor of their property from a dark, dated and compartmentalised terrace, into a light space, that emulates the principles of minimalism.
Paul conceived a bold design that responded to the brief by removing the walls from the closet wing, facilitating the largest lateral space possible. With a dramatic elegance, the corner of the original house now appears to hover above the kitchen, the crisp white ceiling framed by an exposed edge of the original London stock bricks.
A glass and zinc roofed extension adds light to the full length of the plan, whilst the chunky zinc beams contrast with a delicate glass to brick detail. PMA created this bespoke detail where the glass seemingly slides into the old brick facade, respectfully facilitating the continuation of the historic brickwork inside the building.
A frameless glass box was placed at the end of this rhythmic side extension, again contrasting the intentionally thick zinc beams. It provides a visual connection between the garden and house, and provides beautifully lit reflections created by a sunken water feature at the end of this vista.
Hovering House combines the dramatic floating illusion of the existing historic building with new intricate bespoke details for a truly functional, warm minimal home.
Data
- Begun: Feb 2010
- Completed: Feb 2011
- Floor area: 202m2
- Sector: House
- Total cost: £180,000
- Procurement: Bespoke
- Address: Highlever Road, London, W10, United Kingdom
Professional Team 
- Architect: Paul McAneary Architects
- Client: Simon Wheeler, Hermione Norris
- Structural engineer: Danny Fryer
- Quantity surveyor: Paul McAneary Architects
- Services engineer: Paul McAneary Architects
Suppliers
- Bathroom sanitaryware: Vola UK Ltd
- Bathroom sanitaryware: Aston Matthews
- Zinc cladding: Rheinzink