Tucked away behind tall herringbone brickwork on a charming street in east London, Herringbone House by newly established practice Atelier ChanChan is an ambitious interpretation of modern-day vernacular architecture.
Herringbone House, which takes its name from its distinctive brick façade, was designed and realised over the course of three years by architect Zoe Chan, founder of Atelier ChanChan. Previously, the angular site contained the remnants of a small, dilapidated residential structure. Recognising a golden opportunity, Chan set to work reinventing the site with a design that would become her firm’s inaugural project as well as her private home.
The angular site posed constraints that gave little to no room for bold design gestures. However, with an open-air floor plan split over two levels, the cleverly designed house feels spacious and light. Large retractable glass doors (made by architectural glazing company Cantifix to Chan’s specifications) are positioned at either end of the lower level, allowing for the open-plan lounge and kitchen to extend further into two courtyards and, says Chan, ’bringing in natural light and air’.
Throughout the house the colour palette is a mix of soft browns, nudes and light tones, in keeping with Chan’s love of Scandinavian architecture and design. The pale, streamlined timber flooring complements the minimalist interior, reflecting light across all areas, which fosters a harmonious balance within the space.
A white metal staircase that seems to float on air leads to the upper floor, where visitors are welcomed into a small, bright atrium. This leads to three bedrooms and a master bathroom. Bold and fashionable, Herringbone House is a home that exudes elegance and tranquility within London’s dense urban landscape.