Isleden House, Islington

If there’s one thing we’ve learned makes better buildings, it’s empathy. Architecture never happens in isolation—and simply by being interested and engaged, we’ve found it’s possible to open up the conversations that connect a scheme to its clients and community.

We believe that the more constraints there are, the better the architecture. If there aren’t any constraints, we create them. Challenging sites, existing buildings and complex briefs almost always present incredible opportunities for great design.

To limit our environmental impact, we start with what is already there. By manipulating the form and fabric of a building—whether new or existing—we can work with the existing conditions of topography, light and orientation, and harness the natural energy sources offered by air, ground and water.

If a site’s constraints guide the bigger design decisions, then it’s empathy that informs the smaller, social details. These details frame the human narratives that aren’t included in the brief, anticipating specific moments in the users’ lives.

Good architecture is as much about what happens on the building site as it is about what’s on the drawing board. By working alongside contractors as well as clients we can ring-fence the ideas and details that matter, championing the quality of the building throughout its construction.

Isleden House

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Work

 Isleden House
Islington, London

Client

City of London Corporation

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> Housing brochure

Study to add three apartments to a courtyarded postwar estate of retirement and sheltered accommodation, built as alms-style cottages and larger blocks with external walkways.

A careful, strategic approach was needed to minimise disruption to the residents, who—despite the need for more flats—valued the quietness of the estate.

The new units were designed to comply with London Housing Design Guide standards, and high energy efficiency targets.

The existing buildings were loaded with sociable details, such as places to sit in the sun, rose gardens, and cottage-style environments, and our architecture aimed to reflect these thoughtful conditions.