alison brooks architects wraps faceted london residence in copper

Alison Brooks Architects clads residence in copper shingles

Located in the Hampstead Conservation Area of Central London, UK, the Mesh House by Alison Brooks Architects represents a rare new build project. Situated in Belsize Park, an area renowned for its architectural diversity spanning several centuries, the project draws inspiration from neighboring Victorian villas and Arts and Crafts houses. These influences are evident in the faceted planes that integrate the facade, roof, and walls, creating a cohesive aesthetic.

The residence responds sculpturally to its narrow, triangular site and harmonizes with the surroundings while complying with local planning regulations. The facade is clad in small-format oxidized copper shingles, selected for their ability to create a unified appearance with the roof and bay windows. These shingles are set at a 45-degree angle, enhancing the precise detailing and texture. A central courtyard reinterprets traditional Victorian architecture, emphasizing openness and visual connections to three gardens.

all images by Paul Riddle

Mesh House’s Faceted Geometry echoes the duality of the building

Commissioned by a private client, Alison Brooks Architects aimed to create a modern family home suited to the dynamic, informal lifestyles of its occupants. The design process for the Mesh House utilized 3D CAD to form a polygon mesh, addressing the complex intersections of built volume, light angles, existing building lines, and topography. This approach serves as a practical tool but also symbolizes the house as a medium that filters light, landscape, and human connections. The name itself reflects both the design methodology and the conceptual framework of the project, emphasizing its dual role in shaping both form and experience.

The residence features porous, elongated spaces across its ground, first, and second floors, punctuated by glazed apertures that enhance natural light penetration and inter-floor visibility. The London-based studio’s design philosophy aims to connect inhabitants with the sky and seasonal changes, rare in the area. Central to the experience is a distinctive steel and timber stair that complements the informal geometry of the interior. In plan and elevation, the Mesh House is characterized by faceted geometries that reinterpret Belsize Park’s urban villas into folded surfaces and intersecting vectors, creating a textured structure. Materials play a crucial role in defining the house’s character. Anodized window frames match the slim profiles of the shingles, contributing to a cohesive and balanced aesthetic across the facade.

the central concept revolves around a courtyard, emphasizing openness and visual connections to three gardens

the London residence echoes the heritage of its surroundings

The Mesh House features interconnected levels with double and triple-height spaces that create visual and auditory connections between floors, maximizing natural light penetration. Its organic plan is centered around a ‘spine’ from which rooms radiate, fostering a fluid, informal living environment. Key spaces like the kitchen, dining, and living areas surround a central courtyard, blurring boundaries between indoors and outdoors. The house transitions from more opaque on the street side to transparent towards the rear garden, enhancing spatial continuity. Vertical openings and lightwells animate the interior, with a notable stair landing offering views across different levels, reminiscent of a tree house. Clad in small format copper shingles, the exterior unifies the roof, facades, and bay windows, echoing the architectural heritage of its surroundings.

the residence features porous, elongated spaces