Artist Studio Conversion

VATRAA

Kensington and Chelsea, 2022

Shortlisted

VATRAA were commissioned for the challenging task to extend and transform a former artist studio (60sqm before) into an energy efficient, four-bedroom house (137 sqm after). By turning constraints into opportunities, they transformed an open-space studio into a journey of atmospheres, developed on contrasts such as dark-light, warm-cold, or intimate-open. Inspired by the clients’ interest in spirituality and meditation, they explored the spiritual quality of space through views, light and materials orchestrated in a simple, calm composition.

Given the site constraints, the facade interventions are minimal (extension for stair enclosure, roof lights) and push the development towards the inside and below ground. Bordered on all sides by other studios and the back gardens of taller properties, the studio had no windows to the ground floor, with the only natural light coming through the top roof. It became clear that the outside limitations would push the design towards an introverted approach. Adding 4 bedrooms and an additional 87 sqm internal area while maximising natural light was VATRAA’s most challenging task so far.

Learn more about VATRAA

“We aimed to create an elegant architecture that does not follow trends but is a simple, natural and powerful response to the constraints of the project.”

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