Penrose Mews is the third sociable housing scheme completed by Stolon Studio, set in West London. The development comprises eight three-storey mews houses set around a triangular shaped courtyard and with a gatehouse located above the main entrance into the mews.
Typical of other Stolon Studio schemes, the courtyard provides a sociable space for residents to gather and interact. It is characterised by the surrounding walls formed from mottled brick commons, half matt and half glazed to reflect light into the space. The boundaries between units are blurred by the seemingly random window arrangement to enhance the sense of togetherness. A band of low level rooflights brings natural light into the kitchens below and simultaneously provides a buffer between the courtyard and the houses. Porches and coloured doors articulate the entrance to each unit. Small bamboos and sweet potato vines bring colour, life and delicacy to the space.
The ingenuity of this proposal is the delivery of a 10,500 sqft development on a 7,800 sqft site without feeling cramped. The key innovation was to create a basement under the shared courtyard, hiding almost 50% of the development; and to relocate an existing sub-station on site within the new basement. As a result of the basement, the new building could be made to appear smaller than the old one it replaced so that it would not exceed the Right to Light or Daylight envelope and ensured that the courtyard would benefit from ample daylight and sunlight throughout the year.
Typical of many backland and infill sites, daylight and sunlight to both adjoining and proposed properties was a significant challenge. Lightwells and rooflights were used to bring natural light into the living areas located below ground. On the first floor, roof terraces accessed from the master bedroom provide additional private amenity space and enhance the feeling of openness. Delicate hit and miss brickwork walls sit to one side of the roof terraces, screening views into neighbouring properties and providing an intricate play of shadow.
Shared and private spaces have been carefully composed to balance the opportunity for interaction whilst maintaining privacy. The shared courtyard; at the heart of the development provides the opportunity for doorstep play and the internal layout progresses from less sensitive to more private spaces further away from the centre of the development.
At one end of the courtyard a large, portal frame supports a chain and hook required by UKPN to lower equipment into the substation. This industrial trapping is a reminder of the extraordinary effort required to make this special development feasible.
Features:
Housing centred around a shared courtyard to encourage social interaction between residents
Private terraces accessed via master bedroom suite
High density (650 hr / ha) scheme
Below ground living areas for privacy
Dual function rooflights
Light and contemporary interiors with Krion kitchen worktops
