A Light Filled Self-build on a Commercial Site

Julian and Dinah Powell-Tuck's new self-build lies on a backland site which, just off the busy A4002, is an oasis of peace in one of the most highly populated areas of England. "We were amazingly lucky to find a site which allowed a 23 metre frontage on two storeys in this part of London," says Julian, who runs his own architectural and design practice from a separate but linked section of the new building.

Inside, the house is rather austere in its appearance and finishes, and highly functional in its design. This is partly a reflection of the lifestyle of the Powell-Tucks and their four children - Julian describes it as rugged - and partly because they could not afford more expensive finishes.

"We were absolutely determined to build for the price we got for our of our previous house - a four bedroom Victorian terrace in south-west London which we sold for £625,000 - and we were spot on," explains Julian.

It was partly a reaction to that house that led Julian and Dinah, a journalist, to come up with their design. "It seemed that in our previous house the whole family would congregate in the kitchen," says Julian. "So we have taken the kitchen and blown it out. Consequently, the kitchen, dining area and relaxation space is all one vast room of 86m² approaching a third of the total size of the house.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about the Powell-Tuck's house is the transformation it has brought about on the site. Previously the land was occupied by a car body workshop and paint spray works, that had, in turn, replaced a taxi garage on the site of what had originally been a large Victorian stable block for the London Omnibus Company.

Julian discovered the plot, but it was purchased by his neighbour and colleague in the project, for whom Julian had carried out several other design schemes in the past. The Powell-Tucks section of the plot totals 25 by 30 metres and their neighbour's - whose house was built in parallel using the same contractor - is approximately the same size.

"We had few difficulties coming up with a design that fitted in with the buildings long frontage with two separate entrances, whilst encompassing the live and the work sections of the building," Julian explains. "The main problem was the planning authority - Hammersmith and Fulham Council. Previously I had not had a live-work project in mind, but it made sense to combine the two functions because of the size and shape of the site and because the policy in this part of London is to encourage schemes of this sort. However, the council wanted a 50:50 live-work split and we wanted the division to be 62 per cent house and 38 per cent office. It took two years and an appeal to get consent. In a sense this did not matter because we had not yet bought the site - just made an arrangement with the previous tenants, who wanted to be freed of their legal agreement in order to move their business to a different location. However, it was very frustrating at times and took a lot of time and effort as well as costing around £2,000. Fortunately, it was quickly upheld at appeal."

Nevertheless, there were stiff conditions attached to the design, namely that they should not overlook any of the neighbours in what is mainly a residential area. This did not prove particularly difficult as the site the house occupies is not very close to any other houses, so these restrictions did not stop the family from creating a first floor that is largely glazed with large sliding units 2.2m tall, all of which open. The light therefore floods into this upstairs living area on two sides as well as through the roof.

Part of the austere look comes from the plain concrete floor that stretches throughout the main living area. "We agonised over it a bit, but it is very functional and warms up well with the underfloor heating and we were on a strict budget," says Julian. "We think it suits this upstairs living area, which is closer to the light and more private than living downstairs." Living upstairs has also enabled them to make the most of the very high ceilings they have been able to achieve beneath the flat, membrane-clad, highly insulated roof.

The site is very secure because they have retained the old 3.8m high wall of London stock bricks that surrounds it. Repairing this greatly added to the construction costs, as did their decision to build the main frame in reinforced concrete. "We chose a concrete frame because the contractors who were building this and the adjacent house were pouring a great deal of concrete, as our neighbour has a large basement with swimming pool. It made sense to continue with this means of construction," Julian explains.

The brick perimeter wall has greatly added to the character as well as the security of the site. "Even if we had wanted to, we would not have been allowed to demolish it because it forms the end of lots of other peoples' gardens," says Julian, who has also rather cleverly brought it into the house by using it as a feature wall in the master bedroom and upstairs relaxation area.

While the upstairs has underfloor heating, the bedrooms downstairs are all heated by a rather novel arrangement. All the children's rooms step up to the exterior decking over a grid that contains the heating pipes. Natural ventilation comes in throughout the year. "All that happens is that it passes over hot pipes if the heating happens to be on as it passes through," explains Julian.

It is a simple method of heating, but it works. And that underlines the real trick of building on a tight budget - the way you put things together. "We used a fairly basic local builder, but a highly skilled joiner. With his help and that of a few others we were able to introduce quite a lot of interesting elements."

Julian and Dinah are particularly fond of the high ceilings in all the rooms. "We like generous spaces and I believe that in Britain today people have become too obsessed with the use of every little bit of space," says Julian. "It is nice to be generous with space and we have been lucky enough to be able to do this. It is a shame that we just could not run to a sixth/guest bedroom, and that we had to cut back on some of the finishes. It would have been good to have been able to afford something a bit less basic than the aircrete blockwork on many of the internal walls. But the building has a rugged, tough look and is tailor-made to suit our lifestyle."

"The house is set back and hardly visible from the busy road and we have our own little private space with its three courtyards and sun terrace. We can also park the car in a garage - rare in this part of London. The building nestles into its surroundings and is honest and functional. In many ways it has made the best possible use of a backland site of this sort."

To view more short films about Readers' Projects visit the Homebuilding Home Movies page

Further reading:

• An Urban Self-build on a Small Plot
• A Self-build Home on a Small Site
• Transforming a Georgian Warehouse