To fully exploit the constrained width, avoid loading the neighbouring structures and straddle shared utilities running under the site, the 2️⃣ house was constructed using a lightweight steel frame on a piled slab. The steelwork was prefabricated as a series of 2️⃣ portal frames that were craned down the alley and site-welded together. Given that every inch in such a narrow space 2️⃣ was valuable we chose to fully weld the connections and express the frame internally, even utilising the depth of the 2️⃣ steels to maximise the space.

Alongside the painted steel a simple palette of spruce plywood, douglas fir joists, terrazzo and cork 2️⃣ flooring enriches the interior. Externally the timber framed walls are clad in handmade pewter glazed brick slips with a patina 2️⃣ that reflects the changing light of the sky. Both the simply landscaped and planted rear courtyard and the garden in 2️⃣ front of the house enhance the feeling of space in this small dwelling.

This self-build project had a long gestation, fitted 2️⃣ in around professional and family life. The design and construction were developed as time and money allowed so whilst planning 2️⃣ consent was given in January 2014 and the ground works commenced in the spring of 2024, the building was not 2️⃣ completed until August 2024. We worked closely with friend and joiner Michael Tye to lead a small team of local 2️⃣ subcontractors and employed specialist fabricators for certain key packages as well as undertaking a fair amount of the work ourselves.

The 2️⃣ result is a unique and highly crafted home that is a testament to the commitment, effort and support of many 2️⃣ people. By replacing a narrow disused alley with this comfortable small home we hope to have enhanced the streetscape we 2️⃣ inhabit. As the building completes the terrace, so does the front garden - with the simple bin store, planting, level 2️⃣ access and bike parking we aimed to keep it open and reinforce the pavement line without making a hard boundary. 2️⃣ The development highlights the viability, both economically and spatially of small brownfield sites to provide high quality sustainable development at 2️⃣ a time of housing shortage. We see it as a model for other seemingly undevelopable urban gap sites where the 2️⃣ value added is through the quality of the architecture rather than over-development.

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