Kaolin Court Housing

Kaolin Court Housing
© Robert Barker
Kaolin Court Housing
© Robert Barker

KAOLIN COURT HOUSING

Stolon Studio Ltd. + Baca Architects

PHOTOGRAPHS
Robert Barker

PROJECT DIRECTOR
R. Barker

MANUFACTURERS
Johnson Tiles, Velfac, Wienerberger, Curtis Metal, GutterCentre, Krion, PWS, Sedum Supply, Velux

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Edge Structures

CITY
London

COST CONSULTANT
Pulse Consulting

MAIN CONTRACTOR
Meridian Construction

MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL
Prospero Projects

CATEGORY
Social Housing

LOCATION
London, United Kingdom

AREA
1000 m²

YEAR
2020

Text description provided by the architects

Kaolin Court, is small ‘sociable’ development of residential and live/work units, set around a shared courtyard garden. The client is a small private developer, specialising in unique projects. The brief was to redevelop the existing light industrial site with a private residential scheme that would appeal to families and professionals.

Kaolin Court Housing
© Robert Barker
Kaolin Court Housing
© Robert Barker

The solution is a development of 4 houses, 2 live/work duplexes, and 3 apartments, set around a generous communal garden. The accommodation follows the boundary to maximise the available shared amenity space. The 2m slope was excavated to facilitate 2 storey houses without impacting adjoining owners, and to remove the contaminated land.

Whilst the solution may appear to be design driven, it was developed within the strict budget and programme set by the client. Therefore, design decisions were made with the view of adding value, not just cost, and Stolon worked to identify suppliers and sub-contractors that fit the budget.

Kaolin Court Housing
© Robert Barker
Kaolin Court Housing
© Robert Barker

The sculptural forms were designed to maximise sunlight into the courtyard and minimise the effect on neighbours. The architectural angles are softened by the planting, reflecting pools, and the dappled light on the tiled facades.

A 15º geometry was used throughout the development, in a plan to maintain outlook from neighbours and in section to maintain daylight/sunlight, as well as meet suit the minimum pitch for tiles and roof-lights.

Kaolin Court Housing
© Robert Barker
Kaolin Court Housing
© Robert Barker

The front block is divided in two with a dramatic pedestrian route-way through to the new homes at the rear, which also allows the morning sun to stretch into the rear of the site.

The shared garden is a place to relax, socialize, and play. Each house has its own courtyard which opens onto the central garden. The interchange between public and private space has been planned meticulously - from the most public street-front through to the most private spaces in the homes.

Kaolin Court Housing
© Robert Barker
Kaolin Court Housing
© Robert Barker

The large picture windows onto the kitchen/dining space are separated from the shared courtyard by a reflecting pool. Houses are staggered in plan so that the more open dining areas are opposite the more private living areas.

On the first and second floors, the building’s form shelters the entrances and outdoor spaces, providing seclusion and protection, leading through to the delightful discovery of the garden beyond.

Kaolin Court Housing
© Robert Barker
Kaolin Court Housing
© Robert Barker

Together with the design, landscaping, ‘neighbouryard’, and reflection pools, the development has a clear drive to enhance the well-being and ‘sociability’ of the residents.


Kaolin Court Housing
© Robert Barker
Kaolin Court Housing
© Robert Barker
Kaolin Court Housing
© Robert Barker
Kaolin Court Housing
© Robert Barker
Kaolin Court Housing
© Robert Barker
Kaolin Court Housing
© Robert Barker
Kaolin Court Housing
© Robert Barker


Kaolin Court Housing
© Robert Barker
Kaolin Court Housing
© Robert Barker
Kaolin Court Housing
© Robert Barker
Kaolin Court Housing
© Robert Barker
Kaolin Court Housing
© Robert Barker
Kaolin Court Housing
© Robert Barker
Kaolin Court Housing
© Robert Barker
Kaolin Court Housing
© Robert Barker
Kaolin Court Housing
© Robert Barker


Kaolin Court Housing
Section
Kaolin Court Housing
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Kaolin Court Housing
Diagram
Kaolin Court Housing
Exploded detail
Kaolin Court Housing
Location plan
Kaolin Court Housing
Landscape plan
Kaolin Court Housing
Ground floor plan