Hidden House
Clerkenwell
Hidden House, situated in London's Clerkenwell Green Conservation Area, is a distinctive one-storey family residence. Its setting, a former caretaker's shed and atop prison vaults of the Grade II-listed Clerkenwell House of Detention, presents an intriguing historical context.
Despite a compact 72 square meter footprint, the property skillfully balances privacy, light, and space, a response to the challenging urban constraints. A thoughtful blend of reclaimed brick and oak panelling enhances its harmony with the historic environment, while polished concrete and bespoke oak furniture introduce a contemporary touch.
Key architectural features include a transparent punched roof with ocular rooflights, a design element that affords ample natural light without sacrificing privacy. The master bedroom's mechanically-opening rooflight offers an unique interaction with the sky. Full-length sliding windows and doors integrate the main living area with the shared garden and a private patio.
Hidden House, composed of two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a combined living/dining area, exemplifies a careful and innovative approach to design within a compact, urban context.
Craft / Oak Panelling
The Hidden House seamlessly integrates with its surroundings, largely due to the careful use of uniform London Stock Brick, reclaimed and painstakingly hand-carried on-site in respect to the listed vaults below. This attention to detail extends to the interior, where the oak panelling aligns perfectly with the geometrical features of the punched roof and the precision cuts in the beautifully finished power floated concrete floor. This meticulous craftsmanship underscores the thoughtful execution and precision of the design.
Light / Punched Geometric Roof
The interior of Hidden House is distinguished by an encompassing wall of oak panelling, which sets the stage for a transparent floating roof. This punched roof designates the living spaces beneath, all of which are awash with natural light. Ocular rooflights not only offer views of the sky but also frame the ornate exterior of the neighboring former school building. Complementing this, vertical sliding doors in the front elevation provide inviting vistas into an expansive, meticulously maintained shared garden.
