Archi-Tectonics NYC LLC has transformed a century-old London townhouse into a highly efficient and spatially rich urban home with the completion of the London Solar House. Located in Primrose Hill, the compact residence demonstrates how careful architectural intervention can double the usable space of an existing structure while preserving its historic character. Led by principal Winka Dubbeldam, the New York-based studio reimagined the modest two-story masonry building as a contemporary three-story dwelling for a family of four, proving that high-density urban housing can be both sustainable and architecturally expressive.
Expanding a Historic Structure Without Losing Its Character
The original townhouse, a solid masonry structure typical of London’s historic neighborhoods, was preserved as the structural core of the project. Rather than replacing the building, Archi-Tectonics NYC LLC treated the existing fabric as the foundation for a series of bold volumetric extensions. The intervention introduces a folded zinc-and-glass roof structure that adds an additional level while projecting outward in carefully calculated geometries. These forms respond to surrounding buildings and vegetation, allowing the extension to establish a subtle yet distinct identity within the tight urban context.
By maintaining the largely opaque edges of the historic structure and layering contemporary elements above it, the design creates a dialogue between two architectural eras. The result is a building that reads simultaneously as restoration and transformation, offering a refined example of how urban retrofits can increase housing density without erasing the memory embedded in older structures.
Light, Apertures, and a Dynamic Spatial Experience
The complex geometry of the new envelope generates a series of dramatic openings that bring daylight deep into the interior. Among the most striking features is a pyramidal skylight above the kitchen that funnels natural light into the heart of the home. Elsewhere, a slender glass slit reveals the former rear yard, while a large glazed window frames views of the surrounding streetscape and mature urban trees.
These apertures are not merely decorative gestures. They carefully choreograph light and views to transform a compact footprint into a spatially expansive environment. The roof terrace extends the kitchen and dining area outward, offering a small yet valuable outdoor retreat within the dense urban landscape of London.
A Sculptural Stair as the Spatial Core
At the center of the house stands a striking steel spiral staircase, designed as both a structural connector and a sculptural centerpiece. This custom-built helix links the entry floor, the double-height living room, and the upper-level kitchen and dining areas. Its fluid geometry creates a continuous movement through the building, drawing daylight downward and visually unifying the vertical sequence of spaces.
The stair reflects the design philosophy of Archi-Tectonics, where digital design methods and fabrication technologies converge with architectural expression. More than a circulation device, it becomes the spatial vortex around which the house unfolds.
Solar Energy and Sustainable Urban Living
Beyond its architectural expression, the London Solar House functions as a high-performance residence. The roof integrates photovoltaic panels that supply much of the building’s energy demand, powering heat pumps, lighting systems, and hot water. Energy storage is provided by a 13kW Tesla battery, enabling the house to approach off-grid performance while also supporting electric vehicle charging.
Inside, the design departs from the minimalism often associated with compact housing. Dark timber cladding, textured stone surfaces, brass mosaics, and warm lighting create a tactile and layered interior atmosphere. Through this approach, Archi-Tectonics NYC LLC demonstrates how dense urban homes can combine sustainability with a rich sensory experience—redefining the possibilities of small-scale city living.
| Technical Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Project Name | London Solar House |
| Location | Primrose Hill, London, United Kingdom |
| Project Type | Residential Renovation and Extension |
| Status | Completed 2024 |
| Area | 2250 sq ft |
| Client | Private |
| Architect | Archi-Tectonics NYC LLC |
| Principal | Winka Dubbeldam |
| Team | Justin Korhammer, Max Boerman, Wouter vander Heuvel, Mattia Gola, Santiago Herrera |
| Architect of Record | Anthony Boulanger (AY Architects) |
| Structural Engineer | AKTII |
| MEP | WSP London |
| Lighting Design | Lana Lenar |
| General Contractor | Philiam |
| Photography | Nick Kane |