Hayatsu Architects, UK: Wallpaper* Architects’ Directory 2022

Wallpaper* Architects’ Directory is our annual round-up of exciting emerging architecture studios, and Hayatsu Architects from the UK is the last, but not least, to join our 2022 list

Interior of north London home extension with green skylight, light wood beams, white walls, pale green floor, three large white paper ball ceiling light shades, light wood cupboards and kitchen units, wooden worktops, potted plant, white sink with gold taps, white wall tiles, wooden pots and glasses rack, window, books, gas hob and oven
(Image credit: Max Creasy)
By Ellie Stathaki
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Max Creasy - Photography

Hayatsu Architects, the studio of London-based Japan-born architect Takeshi Hayatsu, is part of the Wallpaper* Architects’ Directory 2022, our annual list of exciting emerging practices from across the globe; here we visit its smart and sensitive refresh of a Walter Segal-designed home in north London.Who: Hayatsu Architects

Who: Hayatsu Architects

Japan-born architect Takeshi Hayatsu trained at the Musashino Art University in Tokyo and at the Architectural Association in London. Having worked in the UK since the turn of the millennium (his experience combines time at David Chipperfield, Haworth Tomkins and 6a architects), he founded his eponymous practice in 2017. His work is defined by three key notions, he explains: ‘construction, conservation and community’. 

Daytime exterior image of Walter Segal house extension with wooden skin, by Hayatsu Architects, green lawn, stone steps, brick building, windows, shrubs and plants, tall green trees, pale sky

(Image credit: Max Creasy)

Hayatsu Architects’ work is characterised by crafted, thoughtful, sensitive and playful approaches tailored to unique situations and the requirements of users. ‘We believe that well-considered, well-crafted buildings can bring a positive impact on individual lives and their wider community,’ Hayatsu continues. Working with delicate, historical settings has always been at the core of the architect’s work – something he explored extensively with projects such as Raven Row gallery in Spitalfields (Grade I-listed) and South London Gallery in Peckham (Grade II-listed), during his time at 6a. 

Now leading his own team, he has completed designs such as The Blue Market Bermondsey, a community-led marketplace regeneration project in collaboration with multidisciplinary collective Assemble. More community and housing projects are underway, such as St Anne’s Close – a redesign and extension of a Walter Segal house (pictured) – and a house for artist Peter Doig, both in north London.  

Interior of north London home extension of a Walter Segal house by Hayatsu Architects , grey floor, white brick walls, wooden worktops and shelving, narrow wooden beam low ceiling, black shade ceiling lights, wooden beam under green skylight, window with view of surrounding garden

(Image credit: Max Creasy)

What: St Anne’s Close

Set in Highgate, north London, St Anne’s Close was developed by architect Walter Segal in 1952, as a private housing co-op for himself and a group of friends. The result was a series of eight clean and elegant brick homes on stepped terraces. One of them is a detached property, and the owners recently called upon Hayatsu to mastermind a refresh and rear extension to accommodate the growing needs of their young family. 

The 145 sq m of floor space added with this project contains a new kitchen, a multipurpose sitting room, shower room and a bedroom at the rear of the property, stretching out into a leafy garden. Simple lines, a fairly straightforward brick volume, and a low profile ensure the new element does not distract from the original design’s identity. Its flat roof is planted with wildflowers and moss, to blend easily with the surrounding nature. An oak trellis and pergola frame the landscape and will turn greener as vegetation grows. 

Maintaining an environmentally friendly approach, Hayatsu recycled and reused as much of the existing building fabric from the demolition as possible (including brickwork and window frames). Key existing elements, such as the concrete foundations, were kept and refreshed, as opposed to demolished and rebuilt from scratch. Natural cross ventilation was encouraged wherever possible. ‘Our design references Segal’s ethos of simple and rational use of materials and construction,’ says Hayatsu. ‘We exposed the self-finished materials wherever appropriate. We carefully considered the proportions of every component, from window sizes to stair handrail diameter, reflecting on the original house’s generous proportions and fine details.’ 

Interior of north London home extension showing two levels, bgrfey floor, wooden staircase and hand rail, white walls, kitchen area, wooden worktops, white sink and gold taps, light wood units, picture frame, windows with view of tree tops

(Image credit: Max Creasy)

Why: Wallpaper* Architects’ Directory 2022

Conceived in 2000 as an international index of emerging architectural talent, the Wallpaper* Architects’ Directory is our annual listing of promising practices from across the globe. While always championing the best and most promising young studios, over the years, the project has showcased inspiring work with an emphasis on the residential realm. Now including more than 500 alumni, the Architects’ Directory is back for its 22nd edition. Join us as we launch this year’s survey – 20 young studios from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Greece, India, Indonesia, Japan, Nigeria, Paraguay, Thailand, the UAE, the UK, the USA, and Vietnam with plenty of promise, ideas and exciting architecture.

Interior of north London home extension showing gas hob, white splashback tiles, wooden worktop, white walls, wall plug sockets, white extractor unit, silver oven

(Image credit: Max Creasy)

Daytime exterior view of a brick and timber house extension, green lawn, stone steps, flowers and shrubs, black frame patio window, black drainpipe, white framed glazed door, window, tall trees in the backdrop, pale sky

(Image credit: Max Creasy)

Daytime exterior view of a brick and timber house extension, brick house, green lawn, stone steps, flowers and shrubs, black frame patio window, black drainpipe, white framed glazed door, window, tall trees in the backdrop, pale sky

(Image credit: Max Creasy)

 INFORMATION

hayatsuarchitects.com

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Ellie Stathaki

Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).

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