Monolithic red brick facades and sculptural detailing blends landscape into architecture, distinctly redefining a new aesthetic for a previously dilapidated Victorian end-terrace Cholton house
Project Information
Category
Residential
Location
Manchester
Year
2021
Cost
Confidential
Client
Private
Architect
Ambient Studio
Structural Engineer
JNP Group
Photography
James York
Following collapse after a sustained period of neglect and a series of sub-standard, detrimental building modifications, the Clients sought to re-imagine the Victorian end-terrace property whilst re-establishing the characteristics that once resonated with the proud conservation area within which it sat.
The front facade was redesigned to mimick it’s prior street facing appearance, this comprising predominantly orange-toned, red brickwork with ornamental detailing, coupled with painted stone sills, timber framed sash windows and timber eaves detailing to the roof.
Beyond the front facade however, the house is reimagined for a desired open plan living arrangement that threads together the internal family spaces, typically disjointed and disconnected in such a narrow Victorian style terraced house. Including a new basement extension in addition to a new roof dormer extension, the house is expanded into a 5-bedroom house where the master bedroom benefits from a walk-in dressing room and en-suite.
Internally, warm neutral tones combine with natural oak, black hardware and green tiling to create vibrant spaces. A singular continuous stair handrail strings the split level house together from bottom to top.
To the rear, the external appearance is inspired by Manchester’s red-brick heritage, and the facades are re-envisaged in a monlithic and sculptural form where the building appears to incrementally step up from the landscape in a distinct and proud red brick - a look of permanence after it’s previous state of disrepair.
The facade is perforated with large openings accomodating bespoke, hand-made, timber windows and doors with separating timber fins. The timber fins provide solar shading whilst articulating rhythm and depth within an otherwise solid facade. The timber fins align internally with room layouts, where linearity defines internal door openings and rooflight openings for cohesion between inside and out.
A raised brick plantbed provides in-built garden seating and an opportunity for a planted tree to sit front and centre to the internal kitchen space sitting behind the timber framed glazed screen.
Stepped brick detailing defines the recessed rear entrance that opens onto a pigmented pink concrete patio, fragmented with stone drainage channels connecting planting islands.
The front facade is a faithful reconsruction of it’s former self with reinstated brick ornamentation and new traditional timber windows and doors.
Internally, spaces are connected by the warmth of a continuous timber parquet floor, green tones, and black fixtures.
A muted grey toned microcement floor bounces a soft and gentle light throughout the space.
Oak kitchen cabinetry combines with the timber framed windows and doors to the rear facade to connect the inside to the out. A low-level window bench serves as a reading space with pull-out storage below.
A bespoke fabricated circular oak handrail extends throughout the house continuously from bottom to top, threading the house together despite it’s split-level arrangment over four floors. Black metal spindles create rhythm and contrast, combining with ironmongery and bathroom hardware throughout.
Adam & Anna, Chorlton, Manchester
Having bought a derelict Victorian terrace with a vision of creating a family home, Ambient Studio guided us through a thoughtful rebuild with a new basement and roof extension. Their sensitive, contemporary design includes beautiful brickwork, an impressive staircase flooded with natural light, and bespoke oak window framing throughout. We now have a characterful home that is minimal, warm, and unique. We love it.
