Split House
location : Seven Oaks, Kent, England
year complete : 2018
usage : private house
gross floor area : 400m2
structure : brick, steel
architect : London Atelier Architects
contractor : Cannon Recidential
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The concept of the split house is that the volume of fabric is divided into two halves that are connected via a central glazed link. This was envisaged as an atrium that would house the main circulation and staircase.
The atrium is set in from the main mass to create a small central courtyard bringing external green spaces into the centre of the plan. The insertion of a central courtyard with a single silver birch tree, accessible from the side of the building, breaks up the deep plan of the building and connects the spaces inside to the outside environment.
A sunken garden adds a green and light feeling to the otherwise subterranean lower ground floor to the rear garden and it is part of the large retaining wall strategy.