A carefully crafted timber staircase forms the centerpiece of a new London house by Waind Gohil + Potter Architects
Located on a constrained end-of-garden site in west London, Askham Road by Waind Gohil + Potter Architects is a three-storey new-build house. With issues of privacy restricting fenestration, the design introduces natural light through clerestory glazing, rooflights and a stepped terrace down to the basement.
A visually striking staircase set deep within the floor plan articulates the predominantly white, open-plan living spaces. Designed and fabricated by the architect, the stair is CNC-cut from timber sheets, with the radii of the cutting bit left on show rather than filled or hidden to express the manufacturing process. Assembled as a kit of parts, the ‘slatted’ design allows light to permeate through the structure and surrounding spaces.
“The normal approach for site joinery, or anything for that matter, is to procure via either a main contractor or specialist subcontractor”, explains director James Potter. We had taken the staircase to a point where we could essentially do everything ourselves except for the final assembly. It was somewhat of a puzzle, and a lot of effort went into organising it all so that we didn’t get lost pieces. We also took into account building and material tolerances, so that it all slotted together in sequence. We got there in the end, learnt a great deal and it was something a bit different. The process also offered the client some budget efficiencies.”
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