Reciprocal House
London
Reciprocal House is ‘locally adapted’ to its context much like a species would adapt and evolve to perform better in differing contexts. This approach, starting with the forensic analysis of a site, allows nature to lead the design process, providing living spaces embracing light, views, fresh air and privacy.
In 1968, the Architect Norman Foster extended a former coach house behind a pub in Hampstead, London, with a lightweight structure of steel, concrete blocks and large span glazing. It is one of the first built structures by Foster Associates, and clearly expresses the approach they would take with an uncompromising simplicity, directness and economy of means.
The project retains the original extension, and replaces the coach house, essentially extending the extension. The new extension, on basement, ground, first and second floors, evokes elements of Foster’s treatment of the coach house and the original roof forms with angled facades, but also responds to the extension in its straightforwardness and careful calibration of space. Through the process of reinvention, the evolution of the retained, demolished and newly built structures speak to architectural history, layering and respect.
A reciprocal relationship with the architectural character of the Foster extension is formed by the use of a limited palette of materials, an optimised and exposed concrete structure, and veiled views of the context framed by perforated aluminium and galvanized steel sail-like roofs that control privacy, as well as preserving a memory of the original building. Galvanized steel is successfully used as part of this strategy for the new roof terrace decking and balustrades, framework to the sails, and grating to the basement light wells.
Photographs © Schnepp Renou