This project is a wonderful example of how thoughtful, sustainable design can create a harmonious family home while addressing environmental and family needs.
Here’s a breakdown of some key elements:
Family-Centered Design – flexible Space: WP designed an L-shaped family room is designed to cater to cooking, dining, playing, and resting, providing the family with a highly adaptable space. This is crucial for a growing family, especially with a toddler and twins on the way. The design supports daily activities while also providing a functional connection to the garden, promoting indoor-outdoor living.
Sustainable Design & Materials
Embodied Carbon Reduction: The home is designed to meet the RIBA Climate Challenge 2030 criteria, aiming for a significant reduction in embodied carbon. The use of innovative materials like K-Briq bricks (95% less embodied carbon than traditional bricks) and thermal insulation using sheep wool reduces the home’s carbon footprint.
Recycled Materials: Incorporating materials such as the rubble foundations, Thermalite blocks, and the Bush Hammered Terrazzo paving—which is made from recycled materials—highlights the project’s commitment to minimizing waste and reusing resources. The choice of Fermacell boards made from recycled cellulose fibers further supports this sustainability effort.
Water and Energy Efficiency: The design focuses on using fewer materials and conserving water, while ensuring long-term durability and a healthy indoor environment by avoiding VOCs in finishes.
Innovative Engineering and Waste Reduction
Circular Economy Partnerships: Partnering with pioneers in the circular economy not only aligns with the sustainability goals but also promotes innovative solutions like the rubble foundations, which repurpose salvaged materials for structural integrity. The engineering approach minimizes waste and carbon expenditure while maintaining high structural standards.
Low-Impact Construction Techniques: The suspended timber floor insulated with sheep wool and microcrete finish is another example of reducing embodied carbon while ensuring the home stays warm and energy-efficient. This approach also minimizes the overall use of synthetic materials.
Building for the Future
Thermal and Solar Considerations: The rear elevation’s overhang is a smart design feature to limit solar gain and prevent overheating, a key consideration in the face of climate change and rising temperatures. This design helps to keep the house cooler in the summer months, reducing the need for air conditioning.
Aesthetic and Cultural Integration: The distinctive pink render ties the house into the local East London context, contributing to the area’s aesthetic and community spirit. This thoughtful approach not only enhances the neighborhood’s visual appeal but also ensures that the building feels rooted in its surroundings.