An architect’s own home offers a refined and leafy retreat from its East London surroundings
Studioshaw has completed a courtyard house in amongst a cluster of traditional terraced houses, harnessing the sun and plenty of greenery to bolster privacy and warmth

Set amongst the Victorian housing stock of Walthamstow, East London, the Catching Sun House transforms a backland plot into a secluded green oasis, carefully orientated to bring sunlight into the heart of the living space. Designed for his own use by architect Mark Shaw of Studioshaw, the house occupies the site of an abandoned garage, with several planning permissions in place to transform it into a private house.
The main living space overlooks a planted courtyard
Shaw tore up the existing plans and started again, bearing in mind that the site bordered numerous other houses and gardens and required no less than 27 different party wall agreements to proceed. The end result, shaped by careful orientation, new planting and use of existing sightlines and vegetation, creates a unique private setting for the new house, with practically every aspect from the ground floor living rooms giving no hint of nearby homes.
The kitchen and dining area are set beneath the pitched roof
At a modest 100sqm, the house has been planned around sustainable principles. This includes a passive ventilation strategy combined with an air source heat pump, high levels of insulation and a whole-house heat recovery ventilation system, creating a comfortable ambient temperature year-round with minimal energy costs.
A study area is located on the first floor
The outdoor space consists of three separate courtyards, each one assigned a distinct function. Shaw worked with the gardener Charlie Hawkes to devise the planting scheme, which makes effective use of large leaf tropical and sub-tropical specimens, inside and out, as well as dense shrubs and flowerbeds. A large courtyard serves as the main outdoor space, with two smaller spaces adding biodiversity and more light-capturing opportunities.
Looking back into the house from the main courtyard
The first external space is a planted courtyard that serves as the access corridor, leading visitors into the main space with its sliding glass walls and clerestory window overlooking the main courtyard. These high-level windows catch the tops of nearby trees, adding to the sense of green seclusion, and there are also views to the nearby Walthamstow Marshes. Finally, there is an outdoor bathroom located off the main bedroom, an unusual choice for East London but a space that adds to the feeling of verdant isolation.
The outdoor bath can be seen beyond the main bedroom
Materials are kept simple and straightforward, with exposed concrete block interior walls, aluminium framed windows and timber cladding, all set beneath a lightweight mono-pitched timber roof. Ceilings go right up to the pitch of the roof, allowing for high level views of treetops and sky.
High level windows frame the sky
‘More than just a home, this project embodies a philosophy of wellbeing and sustainable design that is at the core of what Studioshaw stands for; daylight, greenery, and thoughtful spaces come together to create a sanctuary,’ says Shaw, ‘The interplay between built form and nature fosters a restorative environment and offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of urban life.’
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
The entrance courtyard
The view from the interior gives little clue as to the built-in surroundings
Jonathan Bell has written for Wallpaper* magazine since 1999, covering everything from architecture and transport design to books, tech and graphic design. He is now the magazine’s Transport and Technology Editor. Jonathan has written and edited 15 books, including Concept Car Design, 21st Century House, and The New Modern House. He is also the host of Wallpaper’s first podcast.
-
Venerable British car-maker AC goes OTT with the high-output, low-slung AC GT SuperSport
Pitched at all-American fans of the original AC Cobra, the GT SuperSport is a fearsome two-seat roadster with more muscle than ever before
-
The dynamic young gallerists reinvigorating America's art scene
'Hugging has replaced air kissing' in this new wave of galleries with craft and community at their core
-
Out of office: the Wallpaper* editors’ picks of the week
While a few of our editors were in Europe for various showcases and launches, others stayed local, uncovering new cuisines, eccentric exhibitions and glorious gardens this side of the Channel
-
The inimitable Norman Foster: our guide to the visionary architect, shaping the future
Norman Foster has shaped today's London and global architecture like no other in his field; explore his work through our ultimate guide to this most impactful contemporary architect
-
Shard Place offers residents the chance to live in the shadow of London’s tallest building
The 27-storey tower from Renzo Piano Building Workshop joins The Shard and The News Building to complete Shard Quarter, providing a sophisticated setting for renters
-
Kengo Kuma’s ‘Paper Clouds’ in London is a ‘poem’ celebrating washi paper in construction
‘Paper Clouds’, an installation by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, is a poetic design that furthers research into the use of washi paper in construction
-
Foster + Partners to design the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II
For the Queen Elizabeth II memorial, Foster + Partners designs proposal includes a new bridge, gates, gardens and figurative sculptures in St James’ Park
-
Wolves Lane Centre brings greenery, growing and grass roots together
Wolves Lane Centre, a new, green community hub in north London by Material Cultures and Studio Gil, brings to the fore natural materials and a spirit of togetherness
-
A new London exhibition explores the legacy of Centre Pompidou architect Richard Rogers
‘Richard Rogers: Talking Buildings’ – opening tomorrow at Sir John Soane’s Museum – examines Rogers’ high-tech icons, which proposed a democratic future for architecture
-
At the Royal Academy summer show, architecture and art combine as never before
The Royal Academy summer show is about to open in London; we toured the iconic annual exhibition and spoke to its curator for architecture, Farshid Moussavi
-
This ingenious London office expansion was built in an on-site workshop
New Wave London and Thomas-McBrien Architects make a splash with this glulam extension built in the very studio it sought to transform. Here's how they did it