TIMELESS DESIGN. VELFAC windows will underline the aesthetic overall impression in both new and renovated buildings.
Lacon Road
Stepping in to the Light
Stepping in to architect Richard Dudzicki and his wife Eva Edohen’s home is like entering an oasis of light, calm and tranquillity – a contemporary haven punctuating a street of predominantly Victorian terraced houses, situated just a stone’s throw away from the hubbub of Dulwich’s busy market area. But there is more to this stylish house than meets the eye and, as with all good things in life, an awful lot of thought, planning and work has gone in to making this relaxing family home one that is wholly sustainable. “It was a challenge designing a family home with garden in such a tight space – 6.5 by 7 metres – and planning constraints meant that we could only include windows on the west side of the elevation. But I could see endless possibilities.” says Richard.
A tour reveals, on the ground floor, the main family area, including cloakroom, kitchen, living and dining space. The living space, although clutter-free, is welcoming and family friendly with access through large sliding patio doors supplied by VELFAC, to a private, intimate courtyard planted with an olive tree. “Storage is a necessity for any family home so I included plenty of it, making some of the walls deeper to incorporate hide-away storage.” And for a house where windows could only be included in one side, Richard hasn’t missed a turn in catching every last drop of natural light. “We used large VELFAC windows in the front elevation on all three floors and included a rooflight above the stairwell to allow maximum light in to the depth of the building.” says Richard
Eco-friendly
But what makes this house particularly special is that it is also eco-friendly and made from completely natural materials. “The soil conditions and type of building required a raft-type foundation, so we decided to use this thermal mass to help heat or cool the building by using underfloor wet heating,” continues Richard. The house is well insulated and super efficient in terms of warmth and energy. And, with an eye on the future, it is ready to embrace wind power as its main source of energy if necessary.
Richard and Eva’s love of natural materials is apparent throughout the inside of the house too. The ground floor is covered with lino, which, with the underfloor heating, feels really cosy underfoot, and the flooring in the rest of the house is covered with a wool carpet.
Although Richard, Eva and their daughter Grace, now two, only moved in to their new home three months ago, what is really apparent is how completely at one the house is with them and how it supports them in the demands of modern-day living. Grace moves around the house with ease, able to see through the glass divisions as well as having the freedom to go outside into the private courtyard and balcony spaces, safely and easily. It is like a sanctuary, a place you can relax and feel good in, but at the same time, it acknowledges that Richard and Eva are professional working parents.
