The Double Contrast Narrow House

We often see new-build home design that changes the streetscape that they inhibit, and more often than not, such constructions have much local opposition to the modern buildings that enter people's neighbourhoods. This project - The Narrow House - by Dan Gayfer Design is a home that has a plot size no more than 5 metres wide, and whilst you could also say that no design, however obnoxious, would make much a change to the local aesthetic with that size of plot, this house has two fantastic contrasts to it and fits in wonderfully with the local area (whilst absolutely suiting the homeowner's modern lifestyle).

With a massively high level of functionality, flexibility and detail in a house that has really tall ceilings, a high roofline and vast levels of natural light, the Narrow House oozes modernity. The homeowner wanted to take inner city terrace living to a new level, and wished for the convenience of its address' postcode for their daily lives and merged that with large amounts of space, flexibility and interaction; something quite impossible to achieve in that location.

Via split levels there is an encouragement for interaction between living spaces, and having really neat steps, benches and other interventions, there are lots of opportunities for conversation and interaction between the family (and their guests). Most of the home has been customised towards the family's everyday lives, with the rooftop terrace one example. The interior finishes are those of playful functionality, with statement nude tiles in the bathroom and terrace, wonderfully subtle blue lighting and a general very-much two-tonal palette throughout.

Such a modern interior contrasts wonderfully with the house frontage. The interior's layout and lighting gives rise to a fantastic illusion of grand spaces, and with the tall ceilings also considered, most of the living spaces are really quite airy and well-integrated; all the while the frontage of the home looks like every other neighbour (except the lick of paint of course!). Still with the same roofline, roadside fencing and timber details, what lies behind the home's frontage is really well hidden to the unsuspecting eye... Discover more about this project online at DanGayfer.com.

Photography credit : DanGayfer.com