Mews House, W1

The scheme is for a new residential house located in a central London Mews, W1.

The site contains an existing 5 storey residential building which fills the site of an area of approximately 92m2. The existing building is much larger than the adjoining mews houses and will be demolished for the scheme to be built.

The proposals from the early stages focused on producing a home for our client with muscular dystrophy which would incorporate all the features expected of a new dwelling of being light, airy, green and of a contemporary design but also to be overlaid by a requirement for high levels of accessibility and amenity. Amenity in this case being exercise areas in the form of a gym and also the requirement for a swimming pool. Access for a building over a number of floors would require the provision of a lift.

The final scheme design for a new building will be similar in height to the building it replaces, with ground, first, second and third floors and below ground it is intended to have three levels rather than the existing single basement.

The proposals indicate a two storey building with a front elevation similar in appearance with the adjacent mews houses with two further floors of accommodation with external balconies and gardens contained in more sculptural forms.

The scheme has been designed to meet the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 as set down in the London Plan.

The design has pursued a number of environmentally friendly strategies to achieve low CO2 emissions including:

– High specification glazing for insulation and solar control
– Photovoltaic panels located on the roof
– Solar panels to heat water located on the roof