Camden Mews, Camden

The resulting scheme is one of two halves.

The existing gable form remains, referencing the original building.

The contemporary new- build element makes reference to other modern materials present on the mews. The contemporary bay has its principal plane recessed from adjacent brick structures and is faced in a naturally finished treated Accoya timber to allow for seamless multiple door openings. Accoya wood has excellent stability. The glazed and zinc sheeted bay has its geometry broken on the southwest corner with return glazing allowing greater sunlight penetration. The zinc links the bay with the roof elements. This raised bay assists the screening of the varied set back upper storey, ensuring the Mews scale is preserved at eye level. Horizontal slatted timber is introduced at lower level which moderates the scale of the glazing whilst introducing privacy from street level. The refined joinery treatment of the recessed plane enables the various access doors to be treated as a complete composition for the recessed plane.

The two bays are linked by using complementary colours across the principal materials. The second floor is created by individual but linked pavilions which are crisply detailed. They are visually lightweight. They create viable floor space at roof level. Their design subtly responds to the associated elements below. They are subservient and set back which allows the 2 storey height at Mews level to be maintained. Their set back also allows visual gaps to be created.

The rear elevation follows a consistent logic in terms of materials and ‘grain’. Both front and rear elevations respect the individual bays within an overall balanced composition.