Despite its location in London, the design and build of Leaf House offered an unusual degree of freedom. The fact that it was not within a conservation area, and replaced a building of little merit, with neighbours of mixed character allowed significant latitude around creative solutions to the brief.
Leaf house has a dignified quality. Its pale and spectral tonal language gives it an intellectual austerity which is interspersed with elements of family life. It serves as both a home and a workspace and in that sense, reflects the increasing influence of the internet on the planning of private houses.
It takes its place unapologetically among its neighbours with no need for contextual deference. It’s only connection to historic urban architecture is its sobriety, it shares the austere restraint of some period terraced housing.
