The London Solar Townhouse project redefines a historic home, setting a standard for future urban living

Spanning 210 square meters, the London Solar Townhouse is built on the concept that ‘small is beautiful,' rooted in modernist architects' attention to Existenzminimum, the search for the most ergonomic and frugal living unit. However, while their solutions focused on the essential, Archi-Tectonics chose to amplify richness and complexity, creating a four-dimensional environment that engages users in a nuanced interplay of movements, changes in perspective, and materiality, offering both optimized and highly sustainable space.

The original two-story building structure has been preserved intact as the gravitational core of the architecture, around which a new elevation and additional volumetric extensions emerge. These new geometries respond to adjacent houses, forming a faceted envelope of zinc and glass that simultaneously creates continuity and a distinctive ‘otherness' compared to the pre-existing context. The intersection of residential program density and roof volume complexity has generated a series of openings, terraces, and unexpected perspectives: from the glass pyramid flooding the kitchen with light, to the slender transparent slit in the living room revealing the space of the former rear courtyard, to the large window framing the canopy of a century-old tree and the street below.

The heart of the house is a custom-made helical staircase in solid steel, connecting the entrance floor to the double-height living room on the second floor, up to the kitchen and dining area on the top level. Its fluid and enveloping geometry unites the common spaces in a continuous movement, creating a sculptural vortex of light and space. Here, Winka Dubbeldam, founding partner of Archi-Tectonics, has successfully united the concept of ‘maximum density, efficiency, and richness' in its purest form: a unique object, extremely performant and aesthetically impactful, designed to establish an emotional bond with its inhabitants. This relationship of care and value ensures its sustainability over time.

The interiors deliberately depart from the typical austerity of compact homes, favoring materials and textures rich in expressiveness. In this context, the kitchen, designed by our local partner Valcucine London, seamlessly integrate with the architecture, retaining the formal purity of the space, maintaining a continuous dialogue between interior and exterior.

The absence of wall cabinets and handles allows the architecture itself to speak. The sculptural forms of the walls and the interplay of light and shadows emerge with all their power, while volumes intertwine in a symphony of purity and functionality. Light cuts, penetrating from the outside, not only illuminate the workspace but also create a visual connection with the landscape, integrating the natural world into the kitchen and accentuating the dialogue between inside and outside.

The 2cm worktop is crafted from polished Carnic Grey Marble, a material that captivates with its intense grey color and alternating white and grey veins, creating splendid decorative patterns. The sink, integrated in the same finish as the countertop, provides a sense of aesthetic continuity that makes the environment elegant and practical, facilitating cleaning.

The handleless base cabinet opening system, elegant and linear, lends a sense of lightness to the lines while maintaining functionality. The handleless design creates a seamless transition between wood and marble, separating and enhancing the beauty of both materials.

The grazing light entering through the ‘window' highlights the materiality of Aredesia Oak wood, while the stone countertop appears to acquire a softness that enhances its natural beauty.

Another design detail is the low bench, utilizing an otherwise unused corner, transforming it into seating or a surface, highlighting the intelligence and functionality of the design.

Storage is provided by base cabinets and floor-to-ceiling columns, optimizing space without sacrificing visual lightness.

Every detail, from the helical staircase's geometry to the integrated kitchen architecture, demonstrates meticulous care in design and a commitment to enhancing the dialogue between the building and its surrounding environment. The London Solar Townhouse is not just a residence but an example of how architecture can evolve while preserving historical roots, creating a space of great beauty and functionality.

^{Ph credits: Nick Kane}