MODERN DETACHED
A contemporary, respectful new home inserted comfortably to a suburban street. The project explores light, depth and geometry of threshold
Modern Detached responds romantically, pragmatically and historically to the aesthetics of England’s early 20th century Arts and Crafts movement. It is a bespoke contemporary building made by the craftsman’s hand, which has the impression of a home that has grown over time.
Inside, large areas of glazing and windows keep the spaces bright and airy. The central staircase is a play of light and shadows. The stair void also enhances the spaciousness of the house by creating a three-storey space referencing the Arts and Crafts aesthetic with a predominant parti, street exposure and a central hall with access to rooms. The rear living space is geometrically complex, responding to the sun to create a deep threshold which breaks down the social, visual and psychological barriers to landscape.
Outside, a palette of serrated brick details, black charred timber and bronze bring a warmth and luxury, creating a stylish and contextually responsive house.
TWO ELEMENTS
The house is composed from two distinct elements. The more traditional cellular spaces are contained within a simple brick and plain tiled ‘house’, typical of the area. The contrasting dark timber clad element interlocks with the house type and contains the dramatic double height entrance and circulation spaces as well as open plan kitchen, living dining areas which open to the garden.
A MODERN INTERPRETATION OF THE ARTS & CRAFTS
At the beginning of the design process an analysis was made of all the different types of Arts & Crafts typologies on the street leading to a proposal that reinterprets the features of an Arts & Crafts house.
DEPTH
The southern and northern facades have brick fin details that give depth to the elevation. The eaves are crisply finished with beautifully cut bricks and recessed integrated gutters.
“Robustly functional, yet full of spatial and material incident, Modern Detached is ‘life taking form’, a generous armature for quotidian domestic routine... It would be encouraging to think that Coffey’s thoughtful design, or at least aspects of it, could act as replicable exemplars for the wider private house market…”
- Catherine Slessor, former editor of The Architectural Review
PLAYFUL SPATIALITY
The staircase adds playful connections to the upper floor as well as enhancing the spaciousness of the house by creating a three storey high void. Like many of the Arts & Crafts properties in the area the house has a predominant parti with the central stair exposed to the street with a central hall and rooms accessed from it. The hall is full of light, delicacy and experience with the grand brass staircase climbing through the triple height volume. Light from the south penetrates from a large ocular zenith window.
CONNECTION TO THE OUTSIDE
The black insertion breaks through to the rear creating a complex relationship with the garden. A contorted glazed threshold creates shading for the south facing sliding doors whilst also increasing the boundary between inside and outside. A series of elliptical and circular dining and bird tables run from the dining area into the garden like throwing pebbles into a pond to allow the family (and the birds) to enjoy the garden at all times of year.
LOCATION
Harpenden, Hertfordshire
SIZE
3,391 sqft
STATUS
Completed in 2016
CLIENT
Private
AWARDS
/ Brick Awards - won
/ RIBA East Award - won