Pigment House by Unknown Works

In the heart of North London, Unknown Works has reimagined a traditional four-story Victorian townhouse into the Pigment House—a vibrant, light-filled, and multi-functional family residence. Through a bold architectural approach inspired by Luis Barragán’s use of color and form, this project turns a once-dark, moisture-laden home into a joyful living environment defined by stepped landscapes, playful materiality, and family-centered design.

Transforming the Landscape and Layout

Located on a steep hillside, the original home suffered from poor natural light, degraded terraces, and structurally unstable retaining walls. Unknown Works began by excavating the hillside, removing prior remedial work and thick clay to allow light into the lower levels. The re-terraced garden introduced a vibrant series of play zones for children and redefined the relationship between indoor and outdoor living.

A Bold Retaining Wall as Architectural Core

A complex concrete retaining wall system, imbued with dusty pink pigments, serves as the architectural and functional core of the new design. It encompasses walls, staircases, integrated seating, and even an outdoor kitchen and BBQ area. This retaining structure connects the lower courtyard to elevated play areas, while contrasting steel-mesh balustrades add contemporary refinement.

Material Palette and Color Inspiration

The restrained yet expressive material palette is inspired by the clients' travels to Mexico. Pink-pigmented concrete surfaces, rendered panels, and natural clay plasters define both interior and exterior finishes. The result is a tactile and tonal environment that brings a sunlit atmosphere to even London's cloudiest days. Each surface varies slightly in texture, subtly catching and reflecting light throughout the day.

Interior Spatial Flow and Renovation Strategy

Internally, the layout was reconfigured to suit modern family life. Unknown Works opened up the ground floor—previously divided into a Victorian-style kitchen and sitting room—to create a fluid, multifunctional living-dining space. Full-width glass roofs supported by glass beams, and large sliding doors connect this expansive area to the outdoor terraces.

Custom joinery and oak cabinetry, crafted by the clients' family friends, form the heart of the kitchen. The central island provides a social hub for cooking and gathering. Elsewhere, a white cantilevered steel staircase visually and physically links the interior to the terraced garden, appearing to float in front of a seamless wall of floor-to-ceiling storage.

Light, Texture, and Family Connection

The design prioritizes daylight, spatial openness, and connectivity across levels. The muted yet dynamic palette, combined with layered lighting strategies and curated material finishes, creates a warm and expressive domestic setting. Whether basking in sunlight filtered through a mimosa tree or gathering beneath the pink-pigmented ceiling, the Pigment House is a stage for everyday family rituals and celebratory moments alike.

All the photographs are works of Lorenzo Zandri