tonkin liu transforms disused shed into award-winning, energy-efficient house

timber and galvanized steel fins in varied widths wrap the house’s facade, resulting to what the london-based studio compares with ‘the bark of the silver birch trees that characterize the site.’  large vertical openings create a dialogue between the surrounding landscape and the interior, where the gallery, oriented east-west, greets visitors in a long, double height space. grand and intimate spaces alternate to compose a journey of interconnected areas. a spacious library with mirror-backed shelving and a light-modulating canopy is wrapped by a smaller living room and three bedrooms, while a thick wall behind the gallery conceals a staircase, utility room, and storage. the interplay between single and double height spaces creates a better sense of volume and light, resulting in a home that is ‘part country cottage, part classical villa.’

project info:

architect: tonkin liu

landscape architect: tonkin liu

location: north yorkshire, UK

total area: 210 sq-meters

contractor: vine house construction

engineer: rodrigues associates

M&E engineer: integration