Cutting edge architecture can take time to get right

Sometimes the best examples residential architecture in London can't be rushed. Peter Salter would definitely agree with this philosophy. His four Walmer Yard homes in Notting Hill took 13 years to create, including 6 to design and 7 for building work. The time and effort that has gone into the project certainly shows in the finish though; as well as the combined £22 million price tag for the homes. One aspect of the designs that really stands out is they are made from cast in-situ concrete. A lot of the building work involved pouring the material and allowing it to set before moving on to different stages of the project. The task was even more challenging because the properties are such unique shapes and are designed to interlock around a central courtyard.A wide array of different materials, including some non-standard ones, has been used in the interiors of the properties. Each of them was chosen based on how fit it was for purpose rather than other considerations such as cost, how easy they are to work with, or the availability. As a result the project required a lot of experimentation during the design and construction stages to ensure the work complied with regulations.The materials used throughout the property really stand out and contrast with each other to create a beautiful finish. One material that is particularly notable is the black steel. It has been used to create a number of secondary rooms, including en-suite bathrooms and the staircase. The steel is finished with beeswax but retains signs of carbon residue and blue staining from the heat treatment. This gives it a fantastic finish.The four homes are the first project completed by Peter Salter in the UK. It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase his ideas and the great results that can be achieved with careful design, experimentation with materials, and creativity.Residential architecture in London moves forwards in leaps and bounds thanks to the creativity of the architects and designers based and working in the city. It is always fantastic when a new project showcases something different and cutting edge. Our team at Coffey Architects can take great inspiration from these works.