Cubic Modernist House, Wimbledon, London
Project Year: 2019
Country: United Kingdom
Location: Wimbledon, New Build
Located in the heart of one of Wimbledon’s conservation areas is a stunning, modern, new build house. The house is located at the top of Edge Hill, adjacent to Wimbledon College and the beautiful building of Sacred Heart Church.
The house is located on the site of a former single storey bungalow constructed in the 1950’s. Due to the siting of the property within the plot, a third of the house is within a subterranean basement level. Above ground is a pure white cube, with large full height windows that allow light to flood the space. The property contrasts perfectly with the established trees to the front and the surrounding area.
At the heart of the project the intention was to create amazing internal spaces from the basement level up to the first floor. To help achieve this, high ceilings, full height windows and a large open entrance hall (with a large slit rooflight) were proposed.
The house has a unique architectural, linear, cubic form. It is set within a conservation area and surrounded by period properties.
Selection of External views
Key Design Features
As you enter the house through the oversized front door you are greeted with a large spacious hallway. From here the view of the garden is clearly seen through a large, full height, fixed window. The stunning straight-run staircase leads you up to the first floor gallery and down to the basement level. The space feels transparent and infused with natural light. This is enhanced by a large elongated rooflight mirroring the staircase below.
Leading off the hallway are carefully proportioned cubic rooms. The main living space runs the full depth of the property, and as such, benefits from dual aspect views and natural daylight. You are led into this space with the flow of grey concrete oversized tiles. The modern kitchen is an L-shape with a large central island. The dining table is located in the centre of the space. A modern family seating area is positioned towards the garden, in front of a set of full width full height sliding doors.
Through these doors you are led out into a simple, stunning, city garden with simple linear forms that echo the main house. The surrounding trees make the garden feel very private in such an urban area. As you view the house from any angle, the pure white render and large glazing reflects the surrounding trees, which provides a certain glow.
Moving upstairs
As you move upstairs, four bedrooms are positioned off the first floor gallery landing. To the rear is located a large master suite, that has a large panoramic window overlooking the tree tops to the rear. A pocket door leads you into a walk-in wardrobe with a large central rooflight (allowing natural daylight to enter the space whilst maintaining privacy). Through the walk-in wardrobe you move into a large spacious master ensuite. This space is flooded with natural daylight with a large slit rooflight positioned over the double sink. The space also includes a free standing bath and walk in shower.
Two further bedrooms have ensuites. There is a fourth bedroom and family bathroom to the first floor. All bedrooms benefit from over sized windows and spacious footprints.
Down to the Basement Level
One of the key drivers for the design was to make the basement light and spacious. This was achieved by an internal head height of 3 meters and large light wells with full height glazing.
Two large social rooms provide space for a cinema, gym or other family activities. The basement also includes a guest bedroom and ensuite with direct access to the rear garden. Wine storage, utility room and steam room are also included in the basement.
To the basement level is the plant room which houses the hot water cylinders, mechanical ventilation unit and other key items that make the house as efficient as possible.
Kitchen in focus
The kitchen is of a simple modern design with an L-shaped run of units with a large central island. Under the window is a clean run of white units, with sink, and to the side, are full height pantry cupboards, double oven and large fridge/ freezer.
The island is of a deep rich blue with simple worktop and induction hob. To maintain the clean lines a surface mounted extractor fan was proposed. This made the space for feature lighting over the hob. To the opposite side of the island, a row of breakfast stools are included.
From the island and main preparation area you can see through to the garden beyond. The open plan space runs the full depth of the house, therefore the kitchen area becomes a perfect socialising space.
Click Through Gallery
Sustainable Design
Windows and Doors - high performance double glazed aluminum windows have been used throughout the property, supplying a high level of thermal performance and a great level of security.
MVHR - Due to the airtightness of the property achieving air flow is vital. This is accomplished by the introduction of Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR). MVHR supplies fresh air into the property through a filtered inlet, whilst removing stale air out of the building.
Hot water and Space Heating - Air Source Heat Pumps form the main space heating and water heating for the property.
3D Cut-through Plans
Onsite Construction Phase
Basement ConstructionPhase 1 - PilingPhase 2 - Ring BeamPhase 3 - Soil ExcavationPhase 4 - Basement Slab & Reinforced WallsPhase 5 - Waterproofing Layer OnePhase 6 - Internal Structural WallsPhase 7 - Block & Beam Floor StructurePhase 8 - Internal Tanking (Layer Two)Phase 9 - Internal Fit out & Insulation
Due to the compact nature of the site and the positioning of the building close to the boundary, the only option for the basement construction was to pile the boundary of the building and then excavate the soil. To achieve this, a series of interlocking concrete piles (phase 1) with reinforcement were driven into the ground to a depth greater than 10m. The continuous interlocking piles formed the retaining basement wall and main structure.
Once the piles were complete a continuous reinforced concrete ring beam was constructed (phase 2) that tied the piles together and helped support the structure from horizontal forces and ground bearing. The ring beam also provides a horizontal platform to construct the block and beam floor structure and outer walls. Once the ring beam was in place the excavation and removal of the soil commenced (phase 3). This phase of work involved heavy equipment and many soil trucks.
Once all the soil had been removed off site, the construction of the internal basement slab and secondary structural wall to the piles was added (phase 4). A key aspect of this section, was to get in place all the drainage runs that would be required for the basement, including the sump pump chambers. The first layer of waterproofing was added (phase 5) in the form of continuous waterproof concrete mix.
Once this was complete the internal structural walls (phase 6) were built up off the basement slab. At this phase of the construction process the basement (including the internal heights and layout) really started to take shape. The block and beam floor structure that would form the ground floor was then added (phase 7).
The next phase of work (phase 8) involved fixing the waterproofing membrane to all the internal faces of the external walls and the whole area of the basement slab. At this phase the internal pumps for surface water (one located in the plant room and the other in one of the lightwells) were installed. The final stage was the internal fit of the basement (phase 9) this involved insulation, plasterboarding and services.
