Join the Livingetc north west London house tours to see inside split-level contemporary family home.
Built next to an electricity substation on a former brownfield plot that was once home to some derelict garages on the fringes of a conservation area in Queen’s Park, describing Zog House’s site as tricky would be something of an understatement.
The family home of Gus Zogolovitch, managing director of property developer Solidspace, had to fit in with planning constraints relating to both the surrounding Victorian houses and the requirements of the tight infill space allowed when it was built in 2009.
With the help of architects Groves Natcheva and using Solidspace’s signature split-level interiors Zogolovitch and his family now live in a 176sq m house built on five connected half levels.
Solidspace describes this split level approach as an evolution of the Georgian and Victorian terraces that surround it and that provide such aspirational family homes, adapted for contemporary life.
The split levels provide a much greater area of living space, flexibly laid out and at once separate but connected, an approach which is very much a calling card of Solidspace.
If this sounds intriguing but perhaps a little hard to imagine, then you can visit the house in the flesh at next week’s Livingetc event in support of Crisis, which offers house tours of six outstanding homes in north west London.
Showcasing the homes of a mixture of interior stylists, modern furniture specialists and this architectural gem, the event promises to offer a fresh look at a side of north London housing that is rarely available to public view.
Visitors can take aesthetic inspiration from the juxtaposition of smooth plaster and exposed concrete inside, alongside oak and lino flooring.
Environmental inspiration comes from the clay and concrete shell, which provides an even temperature in the house throughout the year; solar thermal panels; rainwater harvested for the toilets, washing machine and garden; triple glazed window and whole house ventilation and heat recovery.
Most instructive though is the way the interiors have been designed, to make a cutting edge and uncompromising piece of architecture work as a comfortable family home.
The large windows and skylights providing a light airy space, with splashes of warm colour and natural wood furniture alleviating the effect of the exposed concrete, which is found throughout the house.
Tickets, which often sell out, cost £32. To book your place visit housetohome.co.uk/livingetchousetours. All participants must be over 18.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here