Reciprocal House: An A-Frame in HampsteadReciprocal House: An A-Frame in Hampstead

Reciprocal House: An A-Frame in Hampstead

Gianni Botsford Architects built a concrete and glass house on a backland plot in Hampstead, reached through a mews lane, with an A-frame open to the sky.

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On a tight backland plot in Hampstead, London, Gianni Botsford Architects built a house that seems to lean into the sky. The Reciprocal House rises as a concrete and glass A-frame, reached via a narrow mews lane, with an interior orchestrated around a stainless steel spiral stair and a central oculus that draws light down from above.

Garden Facade

The A-frame glass facade with angled steel columns rises two storeys above the garden.
The A-frame glass facade with angled steel columns rises two storeys above the garden.
Aerial view shows the house nestled among Hampstead's residential gardens, with the church tower visible beyond.
Aerial view shows the house nestled among Hampstead's residential gardens, with the church tower visible beyond.

Access and Ground Floor

The mews approach: a narrow lane with the A-frame glass facade rising behind the boundary wall.
The mews approach: a narrow lane with the A-frame glass facade rising behind the boundary wall.
Ground floor open plan with concrete ceiling, exposed steel trusses, stainless steel island, and blockwork wall facing the mews.
Ground floor open plan with concrete ceiling, exposed steel trusses, stainless steel island, and blockwork wall facing the mews.
The kitchen island in stainless steel with views through glass to the narrow lane below.
The kitchen island in stainless steel with views through glass to the narrow lane below.

The Spiral Stair

Stainless steel spiral stair with a circular oculus skylight above, concrete walls framing the vertical circulation.
Stainless steel spiral stair with a circular oculus skylight above, concrete walls framing the vertical circulation.
Looking up the spiral stair from below, light floods through the oculus at the top.
Looking up the spiral stair from below, light floods through the oculus at the top.
The stair at middle level with corrugated metal wall panel and blue light through glass.
The stair at middle level with corrugated metal wall panel and blue light through glass.

Living Spaces

Ground floor with stainless steel island, dark leather sofa, and blockwork feature wall.
Ground floor with stainless steel island, dark leather sofa, and blockwork feature wall.
The garden facade at night, full-height glass reveals the living area glowing, trusses visible.
The garden facade at night, full-height glass reveals the living area glowing, trusses visible.
A-frame from the garden in autumn, angled glass panels and falling leaves frame the landscape connection.
A-frame from the garden in autumn, angled glass panels and falling leaves frame the landscape connection.

Bedrooms and Upper Floors

Bedroom with platform bed, corrugated wall cladding, and angled glass window to the garden.
Bedroom with platform bed, corrugated wall cladding, and angled glass window to the garden.
White platform bed under concrete ceiling with floor-to-ceiling glass opening to the garden trees.
White platform bed under concrete ceiling with floor-to-ceiling glass opening to the garden trees.
Bathroom with concrete walls, glass, and a view of tree canopy.
Bathroom with concrete walls, glass, and a view of tree canopy.

Details and Materials

Interior corridor with angled concrete wall, light strips, and terrazzo flooring.
Interior corridor with angled concrete wall, light strips, and terrazzo flooring.
Material junction: corrugated metal meets concrete wall, revealing the assembly logic.
Material junction: corrugated metal meets concrete wall, revealing the assembly logic.
Close-up of the spiral stair's stainless steel treads.
Close-up of the spiral stair's stainless steel treads.

Landscape and Exterior

Garden landscape with concrete pavers, planting beds, and trees.
Garden landscape with concrete pavers, planting beds, and trees.
Terrace with angled glass facade and autumn leaves on the ground.
Terrace with angled glass facade and autumn leaves on the ground.
Aerial view directly above showing the house surrounded by mature garden trees and solar panels on the roof.
Aerial view directly above showing the house surrounded by mature garden trees and solar panels on the roof.

Design Development

Concept sketch: pen drawing of the A-frame section showing the vertical organization.
Concept sketch: pen drawing of the A-frame section showing the vertical organization.
Basement plan by Gianni Botsford Architects showing spiral stair location and garden.
Basement plan by Gianni Botsford Architects showing spiral stair location and garden.
Ground floor plan showing the open layout and relationship to the mews.
Ground floor plan showing the open layout and relationship to the mews.
First floor plan with bedrooms and the spiral stair.
First floor plan with bedrooms and the spiral stair.
Cross-section through the A-frame showing the stair, roof geometry, and landscape context.
Cross-section through the A-frame showing the stair, roof geometry, and landscape context.
Garden elevation with the A-frame and mature trees.
Garden elevation with the A-frame and mature trees.

Models and Exploration

Study models: dozens of white card massing models on the studio table.
Study models: dozens of white card massing models on the studio table.
Additional study models on shelves, exploring spatial arrangements.
Additional study models on shelves, exploring spatial arrangements.
Single white card model on black background showing the form.
Single white card model on black background showing the form.
Concrete and plaster study model on the studio desk.
Concrete and plaster study model on the studio desk.
Transparent wireframe model on black background revealing the structural concept.
Transparent wireframe model on black background revealing the structural concept.

Before and During

The original site: a derelict building with blue gate before transformation.
The original site: a derelict building with blue gate before transformation.
Construction: steel trusses and concrete during the build, scaffolding in place.
Construction: steel trusses and concrete during the build, scaffolding in place.

Gianni Botsford Architects

London-based architecture studio with projects spanning residential, cultural, and institutional work.

giannibotsford.com

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