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

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.⁠