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Gianni Botsford has paid tribute to Norman Foster’s visionary use of steel, concrete and glass in this London residence. The site in question was originally home to an anonymous 19th-century cottage to which Foster added a striking extension in 1968 — one of the British icon’s first projects of note. A new owner, seeking to replace the house but maintain Foster’s building, hired Botsford to bridge past and present. In place of the old cottage, Botsford has created a gem. Maximizing the possibilities of a challenging location hemmed in on all sides by other structures, the firm used skylights, light wells and a set of sail-like perforated aluminum screens to provide natural light and privacy. Inside, the minimalist kitchen, outfitted in aluminum panels, and the sleek aluminum-clad spiral staircase extend Foster’s industrial palette; expanses of raw concrete and metal are made possible by concealing services (including underfloor heating) within floors and dedicated wall voids.
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Team: Gianni Botsford, James Eagle, Hiroshi Takeyama, Anahi Copponex, Arslan Arkallayev and Stephanie Aue; with Integration; Tall Engineers; FFLO; HCUK; Barton Wilmore; New Wave; Measur; and Weber Industries
Gianni Botsford has paid tribute to Norman Foster’s visionary use of steel, concrete and glass in this London residence.