House of the Elements

A spectacular transformation of a 19th-century Victorian home in London, this retreat-like residence mesmerizes with its sweeping spaces and constant connections to nature.

Admiring the House of the Elements from the quiet south London street it calls home, one would never guess that behind the typical brick facade, red front door and neat rows of windows lies a fascinating sequence of spaces designed like a tranquil retreat. The clients, a couple who works from home, tasked Neil Dusheiko Architects with the redesign and transformation of the terraced house. Their brief focused on the need for a home that prioritizes well-being as well as a deep connection to nature. The Sri Lankan heritage of one of the clients, along with the work of architect Geoffrey Bawa, informed the studio’s nature-focused design approach. The result? A captivating house where light, space and lush plants create a breathing, living environment that changes throughout the day and the seasons.

The architecture firm remodeled the Victorian house to convert the previously dark and cramped rooms into open, flowing living spaces with sweeping horizontal and vertical connections. At the front of the residence, the reception room features the original fireplace and plaster moldings. Above the period fireplace, a commissioned artwork created by London-based Italian artist SODA sets the tone for the redesigned interiors. Boasting the artist’s signature geometric forms that create a dynamic, 3D-like composition, the artwork rises vertically to transverse the heart of the house and its three stories. A new full-height central void with skylights brings natural light into every space. Balconies and landings overlook this area, establishing connections between the floors and the heart of the home.

The ever-changing beauty of nature complements contemporary interiors.

Nature is an integral part of the dwelling. Apart from the expansive glazing that connects the living spaces to the lush garden, the architects also installed a double-height living wall covered in plants. Bathed in natural light from the skylight above, this green wall features sun-loving plants at the top and species that favor shade at the base. A rainwater collection system enriched with nutrients feeds the greenery, ensuring that the plants thrive throughout the year. Potted plants placed throughout the home reinforce the deep connection to nature further.

Materials that harmonize with each other and create a tactile palette.

Additionally, the studio used a blend of natural materials and tactile surfaces to create a rich materiality that complements the organic, ever-changing nature of the garden and the living wall. Timber floors and exposed wood beams bring even more warmth to the palette, while the exposed brickwork gives a nod to the house’s age and original architecture. At the rear, black timber cladding harmonizes the contemporary design with the green garden.

The kitchen opens up to the outdoor space. In this area, Neil Dusheiko Architects used polished concrete floors, textured metal cabinets and dark wall finishes to create a bold contrast with the luminosity and greenery of the garden. This cozy space opens to a terrace with a lounge area and a wood pathway that leads through the exquisitely landscaped garden.

In contrast to the bright living room below, the upper floor bedrooms and bathrooms boast a darker, earthier palette that establishes a more intimate, quiet mood. A Japanese-style walnut bath overlooks the vibrant colors of the green wall, offering a serene, spa-like bathing experience. Here, the studio also used a natural pigment to give the walls a calming hue.

House of the Elements is not only an example of living, breathing architecture deeply linked to nature’s rhythms, but also a great illustration of thoughtful sustainability. Apart from the rainwater collection system and the carbon-neutral wall, the home features both passive ventilation systems and solar panels. In the heart of one of the world’s busiest cities, this residence provides a refuge from the fast pace of modern living, immersing its residents into a calm, relaxed atmosphere where nature becomes a core part of the design and their everyday life. Photography by Jim Stephenson.