Nested within a Victorian context, this new-build house is a green oasis and a calm retreat which maximises sun exposure and connection with nature, while being entirely contextual to the site.
Architect Mark Shaw, founding director of Studioshaw, embarked on building his own home after a chance discovery of a disused MOT garage in Walthamstow, East London.
Studioshaw entirely reconfigured previous planning consents to create a contemporary, light-filled home that responds to the site's unique character—a pocket of land surrounded by Victorian terraced houses and gardens. The studio navigated a complex planning and consents process, including 27 party wall agreements.
The result is a carefully crafted retreat—an oasis of calm within the city—designed to maximise natural light and sun-exposure, embrace nature and create a connection between indoor and outdoor areas.
The 100sqm home is organised around three courtyards, each with a distinct purpose. The main courtyard is oriented to capture maximum winter sunlight, while the other two are thoughtfully designed to enhance biodiversity and ecological variety. The greenery and planting scheme was devised in collaboration with award-winning gardener Charlie Hawkes.
The external spaces are divided into three distinct areas, beginning with a planted arrival corridor that guides visitors into the property. The pathway then curves inward, drawing the eye through the building towards the central courtyard.
At the end of an east-west axis, a secluded outdoor bathroom provides a tranquil retreat, featuring a sunken bathtub, enveloped by lush, jungle-like greenery—offering a striking contrast to the dense urban surroundings and creating a true escape from city life.
The neighbouring Victorian houses and gardens influenced the form of the building, with its layout optimised to bring in daylight, particularly during winter months. Accessed via a shared driveway and enclosed by the rear gardens of neighbouring properties, the house remains private while feeling open and airy.
Internally, the space is highly zoned, providing dedicated areas for cooking, relaxing, and entertaining, all while framing curated views—including those overlooking the nearby natural reserve of Walthamstow Marshes.
A restrained material and texture palette—comprising fairfaced concrete blocks, timber, and anodized aluminium windows—was chosen to minimise construction complexity and long-term maintenance.
The home also integrates sustainable design principles, including passive ventilation measures to keep the interior cool in summer and warm in winter. An air source heat pump, paired with enhanced insulation and a whole-house heat-recovery ventilation system, further reduces energy demand, ensuring year-round comfort with minimal environmental impact.
The surrounding Victorian garden boundary walls were carefully reconstructed, seamlessly adapting to the building’s structure, which consists of two partially sunken concrete volumes, topped by a lightweight timber roof. The subtle roof pitches allow for a dynamic play of natural light and carefully frame views of the sky while ensuring no overlooking of adjacent properties.
Mark Shaw commented:
“More than just a home, this project embodies a philosophy of wellbeing and sustainable design that is at the core of what Studioshaw stands for; daylight, greenery, and thoughtful spaces come together to create a sanctuary. The interplay between built form and nature fosters a restorative environment, and offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of urban life.”
Team:
Client: Mark Shaw
Architect: Studioshaw
Interiors: Studioshaw
Garden design and landscaping: Charlie Hawkes
Photographer: James Brittain
