Perforated House

The existing property suffered from damp and mould brought about by poor ventilation, exacerbated by a lack of insulation, ineffective services and minimal access to natural light. This project gives new life to a decrepit structure and recognises its possibilities, rather than demolishing it. The property has benefitted from considered upgrades to the building fabric, including renewed high-performance glazing, installation of thermal insulation to the external walls, floor and ceiling, and new services. Collectively this significantly reduces energy consumption. Comparing before and after, CO2 emissions are calculated to have been reduced by 72% (from 77.53 kg/m2/year to 21.26 kg/m2/year). Addressing the issues of mould, damp and lack of insulation was critical. The need to improve airflow led to developing an innovative design for a new celebratory street-facing elevation. Perforated brickwork, with beds facing outwards, is layered with glazing to provide screened openings and therefore secure passive ventilation, enabling the building to breathe. The perforated brickwork is laid on its shorter side compared to normal bricklaying, and in order to achieve unobstructed views outwards through the glass and brick perforations, the brickwork was unable to be fixed behind. This required a creative technical design solution to ensure stability, using metalwork discreetly hidden within the mortar joints to facilitate an elegant final appearance. This demanded an excellent working relationship between architect and contractor. An entirely new south facing private outdoor garden has been created, and the main entrance has been strategically relocated to provide private access directly from the street, facilitating an improved feeling of ownership and a more practical entrance sequence. The flexible, warm and inviting interior has a contemporary feel inspired by the mid-century tones of the era in which the house was originally built.