The Pigment House: A Resurrection in Rosy Hues

An Architectural Ballet of Light, Color and Nature Transforms a North London Residence

Once caught in the clutches of darkness, a North London home, aptly named the Pigment House, has been resurrected into a beacon of light and a symphony of warm hues by local studio Unknown Works.

Located in Hampstead, this four-story building initially housed dark spaces due to a steeply sloped garden. However, through a thoughtfully executed design strategy, Unknown Works turned the gloomy home into a vibrant residence. Filled with both light and color, the dwelling is now welcoming, warm and bright.

The creative key to the transformation lay in reshaping the backyard, turning the undulating garden into a series of sunlit terraces. This restructuring invited a symphony of sunlight into the once dimly lit interior. At the same time, the redesign forged a harmonious bond between the interior and the natural surroundings.

A well-crafted gradient of levels, starting from the garden’s apex, forms the newly-minted patio. This outdoor extension of the home is draped in pinkish hues, mirroring the colors of the garden’s flora. The color palette also pays homage to the architectural legacy of Mexican maestro, Luis Barragan, encapsulating the homeowner’s fond memories of their travels in Mexico.

Surrounding the garden and cradling the terrace, a series of rose-tinted concrete retaining walls serve a dual purpose. Apart from maintaining the garden’s structural integrity, they also incorporate functional elements such as an outdoor kitchen and barbecue.

Expanses of glass and the use of light colors brighten once dark living spaces.

The Pigment House’s interior also echoes the story of its exterior transformation. Dispensing with its initial Victorian compartmentalized layout, the architects opted for an integrated living space. A glass ceiling canopy floats above the kitchen and dining area, serving as a conduit for natural light and erasing the remnants of the home’s darker past.

Further extending this reinvention towards the front, a spacious bay window provides a tranquil view of the front garden. The home’s interior and exterior are seamlessly bound by the rosy concrete flooring that extends from the terrace into the living space.

Within the other levels of this rejuvenated dwelling, four bedrooms and three bathrooms underwent a subtle revamp, harmonizing with additional living spaces, a study, and hallways. The Pigment House stands as a testament to the power of thoughtful architectural transformation, radiating a warm and inviting glow in this quiet neighborhood in North London. Photography © Lorenzo Zandri.