Private House, Wimbledon

The house is a concrete substructure with timber framed and clad tower, and the steel framed rear section in engineering brick. The different materials define the three areas of the house: sleeping, stairway, and living. These simple interlocked volumes reflect the internal planning and programme of the building. Sleeping accommodation is within the oak clad tower, which sits on a concrete base; a brick cube contains the stair; and the area under the planted vaulted roof has the living spaces. The interior deliberately plays with the perception of space, compressing and then opening out in an unexpected direction to create a sequence of changing and ambiguous volumes.

The house is unashamedly modern, with an honest use of materials and plain detailing. The architect showed determination in hanging on for a difficult planning permission, but shows how with creative thinking, good space can be found in the meanest of sites. Modern builders of the terraced house can definitely learn from this house. It has great views of London and was built on a very modest budget.

Architect Terry Pawson Architects