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The only ways to design for the narrow site would have been to make the house either very high or very long in proportion to its width. Pawson chose both high and long. But the clever use of interior space belies the restrictive nature of the site.

The house is, in concept, a simple series of squares connected by a passageway. Structurally, however, it is more complex, consisting of a reinforced concrete podium for the ground floor and basement, three stories of timber-framed superstructure for the front, and a steel-framed envelope enclosing the main double-height spaces at the rear. The bedrooms are all contained in the four-story tower.

The front of the house, visible from the road, needed to blend into its surroundings. The oak tree came into play by forming a partial screen from the road and by suggesting oak cladding for the facade.

Harmonizing textures of rough and smooth is a frequent theme in Pawson's work. For 84 Arthur Road, he contrasts the rough-cut, unseasoned oak with the smooth glazing. "This detail helps to exaggerate the contrast between the finish materials used," he explains.

Vertical Organization

Walking through the house is an adventure. Starting from the tower's base, each bedroom/bath has a similar layout, but variations in light and shade at each level determine the rooms' differing personalities. At the top floor, the layout is reversed, with the main window facing east rather than west like the others. The use of light is particularly appealing in the top bedroom's bathroom, which is illuminated by a skylight.

The roof terrace presents another revelation, providing magnificent 360-degree views of London including the nearby Wimbledon All England Tennis Club to the southwest.

A full-height hallway with a cantilevered staircase forms the link between the wood-framed bedroom tower and the lower-level living area towards the rear of the house.

The ground floor is unified by a consistent use of reinforced concrete throughout. The central staircase structure is a vertical block from which the flights and landings cantilever. Pawson views his work as sculpture, "but not in the blobby way," and this staircase block is a prime example, reminiscent of the work of Luis Barragan.

By Pawson's own admission, the house is not particularly suitable for young children. For instance, the hall's floor has gaps at its edges to provide sneak previews of the lower level.

Materials and Form

The living and hall "squares" are of concrete that has been left in its raw state. This again illustrates the exaggerated contrasts of materials — precise but rough. "I would like to think it has a structural honesty," enthuses Pawson.

He cites Tadao Ando and Le Corbusier as inspirations for his interest in the relationship of shapes and materials. "I find it hard to describe our style. I would say it is more akin to Swiss architects such as Herzog and de Meuron. We are lucky to be working with clients who like what we do."

The kitchen is about 15 feet (4.6 meters) below ground level. It leads into a barrel-vaulted pavilion that leads one's line of sight into a long natural garden that slopes down away from the building. The roof is covered with a thin "green" system of Alpine plants.

The living area, perched over the kitchen on a concrete plinth, provides open views into the garden. There is very much a feeling of interior and exterior interacting and blending. The black slate used for the kitchen/ dining area extends onto the outdoor sitting area out to the edge of the garden.

Tinted glass is used throughout for sun control. This, combined with radiant floors and the thermal mass of the concrete, gives interior spaces consistent heating. The use of light within the house brings the house alive, providing a variable character depending on the time of day and year.

The architect has brought his own style to the Arthur Road house, which functions as a family home but without any sense of conformity. Although it is aimed less at the current British house buying market, and is more a "house of the future," it could feasibly be sought after by those who have out-grown loft living but do not want to give up a nonconformist lifestyle.

This house provides a calm edginess, making a statement but being mature about it, exhibiting a style that might be called "suburban industrialism."

Don Barker is a freelance writer and photographer in London, UK, who has lived and worked in Europe, Australia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, and Singapore. He is a contributing editor to ArchitectureWeek.

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The rear elevation of Terry Pawson's house at 84 Arthur Road, looking into the barrel-vaulted living room. Photo: Don Barker Side view of the house, showing its blend of rough and smooth textures. Photo: Terry Pawson Architects One of the stacked bedrooms, inviting light. Photo: Terry Pawson Architects Terry Pawson's concept sketch of 84 Arthur Road: fitting into a long, narrow site. Image: Terry Pawson Architect's design model of the house, with bedroom tower facing the street (to the left) and double-height living room to the rear. Photo: Terry Pawson Architects The cantilevered staircase from the three-story hall. Photo: Don Barker The barrel-vaulted living room. Photo: Terry Pawson Architects Window under the barrel vault. Photo: Terry Pawson Architects   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.