soup architects’ environmentally efficient wedged shape house

soup architects’ environmentally efficient wedged shape house
image © andy matthews photography
all images courtesy of soup architects

tucked into an unassuming triangular pocket, ‘wedge house’ by london firm soup architects is a sustainably designed building that takes advantage of the site’s irregularly shaped garden. set in the rear half of an exiting suburban lot in surrey, UK the client’s brief was to create a contemporary house for three generations of their family. orientated to the west the house offers views out to the garden with afternoon and evening sun streaming into the interior spaces. the house’s location also provides a high level of privacy from an overlooking apartment development to the east. an asymmetrical volume contains a series of relaxed, informal living spaces with a strong physical connection to the outdoor landscape.

environmental design principles ensure that the house uses renewable energy systems, a highly insulated building fabric and integrated heat recovery ventilation system keep internal heating to a minimum. solar water panels provide most of the building’s hot water and a fully integrated rain-water harvester contributes to the cold water supply. punctuating the dark grey structure are large glazed units that open out six meters, connecting the interior spaces to the garden. internally, the use of a dark american walnut-polished concrete is complimented by off-white walls and deep slate grey finishes, giving the project a warm material richness.

the asymmetrical house is orientated to the west and tucked into the corner of the site
image © andy matthews photography

view through to the main entrance hallway
image © andy matthews photography 

detail of the entrance canopy
image © andy matthews photography

looking under the entrance canopy and out towards the garden
image © andy matthews photography

view showing the main living space
image © andy matthews photography

view showing the dining space
image © andy matthews photography

view from the kitchen out through the sliding glass doors to the garden
image © andy matthews photography

entrance hallway looking towards the living room
image © andy matthews photography

main staircase
image © andy matthews photography

wedge house within the surrounding context
image © andy matthews photography

view of house from the garden at dusk
image © andy matthews photography

project info:

project: wedge house
location: surrey, uk
client: private
architects: soup architects
structural engineer: BTA structural design
building contractor: young construction management services ltd (YCMS ltd)
photographs: andy matthews photography

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