Design Buy Build Issue 38 2019 | Page 13

The challenge faced by Charles was how to create a comfortable layout and a relaxing home on the tiny 6x7m site surrounded by Victorian terraces. gpad london delivered a contemporary design without being incongruous with the other buildings in its vicinity. Set over three levels and clad in brick and bronze, the house feels larger due to careful consideration of every inch and clever use of dual aspect rooms with a lightwell and free-flowing spaces. This is further complemented by a coherent material language and a subtle palette of muted colours. The sleek, warm and subtle interior is relaxed and calming, with whitewashed oak panelling and resin floors. Charles Bettes of gpad london, comments: “Having my home considered London home of the year really feels like a fantastic achievement. It is testament that great design does not require a huge budget or a lengthy time scale – Wittering House was completed in just ten months and on a relatively modest budget. While the site is tiny and the house is not large, the innovative layout ensures the 13 interior areas feel spacious, successfully illustrating that with a thoughtful, well-considered approach to a site, good quality living spaces can be produced. We’re currently working on other infill projects and have a lengthy track record of creating wonderful spaces of all sizes on difficult sites. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how we can really get the most out of a small, awkward site. Scooping the Grand Prix amongst such amazing architecture is a wonderful underlining of the team’s ability.” Winners were announced at the Evening Standard New Homes Awards Friday 18 May at the Dorchester Hotel, Mayfair. This is gpad london’s second national award win, they are the 2017 winners of the British Council of Offices (BCO) National Award for the regeneration of Concordia Works in Leeds city centre turning a derelict yarn and cord warehouse into modern office accommodation. Photo credit - Tim Crocker www.gpadlondonltd.com