Building control in a horizontal home
Project Type
A particularly jaw-dropping example of ‘going vertical’ is the gigantic sash window installed by Paul+O Architects for a client at Basset Road, West London – in fact, a sliding door system from Vitrocsa that’s been turned on its side. As Paul Acland and Paul Marto explain, they were looking for a solution that would be both lightweight and the would emphasise the verticality of the 21ft double-volume space they had installed within:
The panes had to be equal in size and mechanically controlled in the middle. It is all automated so you can walk underneath, but even if it were not, it would not be difficult to lift because it is all beautifully counter-balanced.
Customer Expectations
Within the house, Paul+O created vertical vistas to unify it for a family with younger children:
In traditional London houses, every floor is cut off from the other floors – it is almost like living in separate flats. By bringing in double-height volume, the kitchen would no longer be isolated from the living room above – you could be in your own space while being aware of people on other levels. Halfway up the stairs, between the ground floor and the first, there is an internal window. We wanted this so the children could peep and watch us entertaining friends for dinner, check what we are doing. Its almost like the idea of a banqueting hall with minstrel gallery.
Customer Comment
This is one of the projects that have made Paul+O a finalist in this year’s Building Design One-off House Architect of the Year Awad, and it is a thoughtful but bold reworking of ubiquitous London architecture:
You would think it inappropriate in a period house to simply knock out all the rooms behind a façade and have one huge horizontal space; buildings should reflect the inside from the outside. The challenge was to take a big house of over 4,800sq ft and find a way to give us a family home interlinked at ever level.
Top Features
- Architecturally defining fully automated 21ft sash window
- KNX protocol utilised so the house is future-proofed for flexibility, upgrades and any changes
- House-wide control from various positions – ‘Goodbye’, ‘Goodnight’ and ‘Welcome Home’ that effect lighting and heating
- Zoned heating control that uses energy where it is needed when it is needed
- Motion sensors in all rooms – both convenient and energy saving
- Lighting control via the internet – set scenes and moods
- Stunning switches integrated with thermostats and audio control
- Multiroom audio controlled from light switches – reprogrammability without rewiring
