Interactive floor plan: Shadow House, London

Named Shadow House for the way its form plays with light and shade
Named Shadow House for the way its form plays with light and shade, this property was created from a small derelict garage plot by husband and wife team David Liddicoat and Sophie Goldhill, of Liddicoat & Goldhill architecture practice, as their own home
(Image credit: press)
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Named Shadow House for the way its form plays with light and shade, this property was created from a small derelict garage plot by husband and wife team David Liddicoat and Sophie Goldhill, of Liddicoat & Goldhill architecture practice, as their own home. Completed just a few months ago, it is astounding not just for its aesthetics but for being a financial feat, coming in at a mere £210,00 for its 77sq m.

Building it inside out in slim-format Dutch engineering brick, a robust material with a delicate black glaze, the architects met the tight budget by using only simple primary materials, led by practical demands. The floors are beautifully polished white concrete, while the only luxury the couple allowed themselves was two slabs of Statuarietto marble used in details throughout the house to contrast the dark brick.

The house includes two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a separate living and dining area - all generously lit by big openings. The small room sizes were dealt with by cleverly adapting the ceiling heights from room to room, which allowed breathing space and better sound quality. Additional storage spaces were built within walls, to avoid clutter.

Just building the house was not enough for Liddicoat & Goldhill. They also designed all their fittings and furnishings, from the minimalist Zero larch bed frame to the kitchen cabinetry in elm, stainless steel, marble, and the spray lacquered doors.

Young the practice may be but it has been going from strength to strength since its creation. Featured in the Wallpaper* Architects Directory in 2009, their portfolio is steadily growing and Shadow House is currently garnering them impressive acclaim. Not only has it been included in the recently announced RIBA Awards, it also features on the long list for the coveted Manser Medal, to be announced later in the year.

Completed just a few months ago, it is astounding not just for its aesthetics but for being a financial feat, coming in at a mere £210,00 for its 77sq m

Completed just a few months ago, it is astounding not just for its aesthetics but for being a financial feat, coming in at a mere £210,00 for its 77sq m

(Image credit: press)

Building it inside out in slim-format Dutch engineering brick, a robust material with a delicate black glaze, the architects met the tight budget by using only simple primary materials, led by practical demands

Building it inside out in slim-format Dutch engineering brick, a robust material with a delicate black glaze, the architects met the tight budget by using only simple primary materials, led by practical demands

(Image credit: press)

The house has not only been included in the recently announced RIBA Awards, but also features on the long list for the coveted Manser Medal, to be announced later in the year

The house has not only been included in the recently announced RIBA Awards, but also features on the long list for the coveted Manser Medal, to be announced later in the year

(Image credit: press)

The floors are beautifully polished white concrete, while the only luxury the couple allowed themselves was two slabs of Statuarietto marble used in details throughout the house to contrast the dark brick

The floors are beautifully polished white concrete, while the only luxury the couple allowed themselves was two slabs of Statuarietto marble used in details throughout the house to contrast the dark brick

(Image credit: press)

The house includes two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a separate living and dining area

The house includes two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a separate living and dining area

(Image credit: press)

All spaces of the house are generously lit by large openings

All spaces of the house are generously lit by large openings

(Image credit: press)

The small room sizes were dealt with by cleverly adapting the ceiling heights from room to room, which allowed breathing space and better sound quality

The small room sizes were dealt with by cleverly adapting the ceiling heights from room to room, which allowed breathing space and better sound quality

(Image credit: press)

Just building the house was not enough for Liddicoat & Goldhill. They also designed all their fittings and furnishings, from the kitchen cabinetry in elm, stainless steel and marble...

Just building the house was not enough for Liddicoat & Goldhill. They also designed all their fittings and furnishings, from the kitchen cabinetry in elm, stainless steel and marble...

(Image credit: press)

... to the minimalist Zero larch bed frame

... to the minimalist Zero larch bed frame

(Image credit: press)

The bricks and woodwork add a collage of decorative patterns and texture to the interior

The bricks and woodwork add a collage of decorative patterns and texture to the interior

(Image credit: press)

Larch wood features throughout the house

Larch wood features throughout the house

(Image credit: press)

Each space of the property has its own distinct character, thanks to the use of textured and reflective surfaces

Each space of the property has its own distinct character, thanks to the use of textured and reflective surfaces

(Image credit: press)

More textured surfaces in the bathroom

More textured surfaces in the bathroom

(Image credit: press)

One of the many skylights that illuminate the house

One of the many skylights that illuminate the house

(Image credit: press)

ADDRESS

38a St Paul’s Crescent
London NW1 9TN

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Ellie Stathaki

Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).

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