Hidden House

A one-storey, hard to find dwelling situated within a conservation area in the centre of Clerkenwell, London, needed an architect who could handle a challenge. 

One which could meet the homeowner’s expectations, whilst keeping in line with the strict regulations a property carries when in a conservation area. The architect would need to have the ability to consider the extremely sensitive site of which it’s located as a top priority in the design process.

The home sits next to a former Victorian School, Kingsley Place and above former prison vaults belonging to the Clerkenwell House of Detention, built in 1847. Both properties are grade II listed buildings due to the history that they come with, so it was extremely important to design a respectful and non-invasive dwelling.

Several surrounding walls almost completely hide the property which allowed the architects to have slightly more flexibility regarding the design, compared to a property in plain view.  Coffey Architects won the project resulting in Hidden House being created.

The small residence consists of two bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open plan living/ dining/ kitchen area with its own private external space. Minimal windows® contemporary sliding doors were installed at the front of the property, revealing views into the large well-kept shared garden.

The slim framed vertical sliding doors really compliment the space and illuminate the home whilst the definition of the tall perimeter brick wall ensures its privacy.

Hidden House has been transformed into a light fuelled haven, which is an exceptional upgrade from the caretakers shed it once was. The home is undoubtably demure, a spatial delight hidden in the thickness of a listed curtilage wall.

Hidden House was shortlisted for the AJ Architecture Awards in 2017.