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Slot House by Sandy Rendel Architects

A small 1-bed scheme prioritising quality of space over minimising space standards and maximising value.

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A highly crafted home replaces a disused passageway.

High quality, sustainable development

Brownfield site converting a narrow passageway

2.8m wide urban infill Opportunity

Details.

The challenge of this project was to tease functional and delightful spaces out of an unpromising opportunity. The plot was a narrow 2.8m wide break in an existing terrace, bounded by flank walls on both sides, that had lain vacant for a number of years.

Underutilised narrow London space
2-storey 1-bed scheme prioritising quality of space

We made a conscious decision to eschew a previous planning consent for a larger 3-storey house in favour of a more appropriate smaller 2-storey 1-bed scheme prioritising quality of space over minimising space standards and maximising value.

To fully exploit the constrained width, avoid loading the neighbouring structures and straddle shared utilities running under the site, the house was constructed using a lightweight steel frame on a piled slab.

Narrow inner city land conversion
Prefabricated steel works

The steelwork was prefabricated as a series of portal frames that were craned down the alley and site-welded together. Given that every inch in such a narrow space is valuable we chose to fully weld the connections and express the frame internally, even utilising the depth of the steels to maximise the space.

Alongside the painted steel a simple palette of spruce plywood, douglas fir joists, terrazzo and cork flooring enriches the interior. Externally the timber framed walls are clad in handmade pewter glazed tiles.

Narrow house interior

Impact.

The result is a unique and highly crafted home that is a testament to the commitment, effort and support of many people.

Result.

It highlights the viability, both economically and spatially, of small brownfield sites to provide high quality sustainable development.

Modern interior steel works
Modern interiors
Modern spacious interiors
Slot House by Sandy Rendel Architects

Sandy Rendel Architects

20A Iliffe Yard

Walworth

London SE17 3QA

info@sandyrendel.com


Photography: Jim Stephenson