Birch plywood joinery and tadelakt plaster are used to calming effect on a domestic refurbishment project in London by Widger Architecture

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Ståle Eriksen

Alia is a residential refurbishment and extension project in Walthamstow, north-east London, by Widger Architecture. Conceived as a collection of calm and serene interior spaces, the project makes extensive use birch plywood joinery and tadelakt plaster. The latter is a lime-based product that has been used in Morocco for centuries.

Intended to maximise useable floor space, the loft, bedroom, study and stairwell are sub-divided by multi-faceted birch plywood joinery incorporating storage, shelving or wardrobes. The joinery also features doors and shutters – with minimal handles and pulls – that fold and hinge into positions adapting to the daily life in the house. The movable panels not only facilitate access, but can also create areas for privacy, blackout, or open up external views.

Moving down the house, the staircase wraps around a sculptural plywood handrail with exposed grain on the top and at the ends. When ascending the stairs, the handrail gives a hint as to what’s above, and reveals more as you go up. New elements, such as the stair, are designed to contrast with the existing period details and features. The kitchen employs the same materiality as the upper floors, with plywood detailing and finishing.

Birch plywood joinery was favoured for its calm appearance, explains the architect. Once chosen, it was decided to fully embrace the material, emphasising the end grain on the stair handrail, doors, architraves, frames, and shelving, as well as ensuring clean junctions between the plywood and tadelakt plaster. The latter provides a dark atmospheric aesthetic in contrast to the light-coloured plywood.

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