A three bedroom family house on a tight urban site in the centre of Cambridge. The site measures only 7.5 metres wide by 10.5 metres deep, it is flanked on all sides by 3 metre high walls and room had to be found for an off street parking space. Unobscured glazing was only permitted on the front elevation, and 1 square metre of fixed obscured glass was all that was permitted on the other three. Most of the daylight comes from above and white resin floors, a white metal staircase, a double height sitting area, mirrors, and perforate meshes maximize the sense of space inside.

The interior arranged around a double height space flanked on the first floor by a small study area. The related spaces are intricately connected, and although the spaces are small, there are various perceptions of depth. This is heightened by the use of mirrors and translucent meshes. Upstairs the three bedrooms, shower room and bathroom, each have a different character, provided by the varying fenestration. A key idea in the house was trying to create different spaces and little moments of interest that would again help to make the house feel larger than in fact it really is.

• YEAR: 2009
• LOCATION: Cambridge
• PHOTO CREDIT: Mel Yates