Structure studio McLaren Excell has transformed an industrial constructing in north London right into a home that features devoted areas for arts and crafts actions.
Named Camden Workshop, the mission additionally concerned the extension of the 600-square-metre former manufacturing facility, which was beforehand the house and studio of a sculpture artist.
McLaren Excell’s scheme sees the bottom ground transformed into interest rooms, used for a variety of actions that embody woodworking, weaving, images, candle-making, brewing and fermenting.
In the meantime, the higher stage incorporates the household dwelling areas, together with a spacious kitchen and eating room, a separate lounge and 4 double bedrooms.
In an effort to create these areas, the constructing was largely remodelled. Behind the unique facade, a rear extension allowed the architects to unify a beforehand disparate ground plan.
“The unassuming former warehouse exterior of this property betrays nothing of what is behind the entrance door and there is one thing thrilling about that,” mentioned studio co-founder Rob Excell.
Camden Workshop is dwelling to a household together with one member who’s disabled, so accessibility was a key facet of the design.
McLaren Excell mentioned the shoppers had been “impressed by the therapeutic properties of craft and making one thing by hand”, which was what led them to incorporate interest rooms of their transient.
That includes 3.2-metre-high ceilings and four-metre-wide glazed doorways, this extremely versatile 200-square-metre space incorporates seating areas, a workshop area and kitchen services.
The bottom ground additionally incorporates a area dubbed “the volcano room”, an area the place mild, sound and tactile surfaces supply a multisensory expertise.
“Creating a house but in addition an area that’s multi-functional in its most excessive sense was a problem,” mentioned Excell.
“However as a designer of buildings and interiors with longevity and integrity as guiding rules, it is nice to suppose what these craft-oriented areas might produce and encourage from people who use them.”
A hot-rolled metal staircase leads as much as the primary ground, though there’s additionally a carry.
On this stage, the chosen supplies give a extra homely really feel to the economic aesthetic. Douglas fir boards line among the partitions and ceilings, whereas authentic brickwork has been uncovered and painted.
The big household kitchen incorporates a travertine island that seems as a strong block, whereas picket cupboards prolong out right into a built-in seating bench that frames the define of the room.
Constructed-in cupboards supply a way of depth to the partitions and are matched by equally custom-made storage closets within the bedrooms.
“This can be a actual illustration of the journey and expertise that we have now with the shopper,” mentioned Excell.
“Incorporating pure supplies and with a directive to recycle and be ever aware of materiality and sustainability – one thing we’re enthusiastic about as a studio – it was nice to have the ability to introduce an plentiful variety of supplies of their uncooked state.”
Camden Workshop is accomplished by a landscaped backyard, that includes wild planting and beehives.
It was longlisted for Dezeen Awards 2023 in the home renovation class.
It’s the newest in a collection of residential initiatives accomplished by the London-based studio based in 2010, with others together with the angular Kew Home extension and former schoolhouse conversion Merrydown.
The images is by Rory Gardiner.
