Bough Terrace is a minimal home located in London, United Kingdom, designed by Tuckey Design Studio. The client, seeking a personal alternative to hotel stays during frequent London visits, purchased the house after an online tour during the late 2020 lockdown. The property was in poor condition, suffering from water damage, lack of natural light, and numerous internal partitions. A recommendation from a friend, who admired Tuckey Design Studio’s work on the nearby Egg fashion boutique, led the client to commission the firm. Architects Ryuta Hirayama and Dan Stilwell were tasked with transforming the house’s 700 square foot layout into a minimalist, tranquil retreat. The client desired a monastery-like space that would provide a relaxing escape from the bustle of central London, and serve as a refined backdrop for his collection of objets d’art.
The design focused on retaining and exposing the house’s original timber lattice structure, inspired by the Katsura Imperial Villa in Kyoto. The renovation revealed the rich character of the timber floor joists and roof trusses, emphasizing their imperfections. A natural material palette, featuring white walls, stone, timber, concrete, and exposed brick, complemented this approach. New, precise timber elements were integrated with the existing structure, creating a layered effect. A singular post on the lower ground floor serves as the central support, with new and old timber extending upwards, culminating in a plywood canopy on the top floor. The design prioritized the flow of light and air throughout the house. Lightweight, intermittent interventions cast unexpected light patterns on double-height walls. Two strategically placed skylights channel sunlight across all three floors.
The house’s façade was meticulously restored to match its Victorian terrace neighbors. PVC windows were replaced with double-glazed timber sash windows, and a built-in bench now spans the front courtyard’s parapet wall. A dark timber structure extending from an original arched window forms a canopy over the entrance, with suspended white panels creating a subtle distinction from the living room. Reclaimed timber floorboards line the ground floor, reflecting the ceiling’s timber joists. A large timber sash window brings natural light into the living room, where an original chimney breast, painted in limewash, adds continuity across all three stories. Excess pitch pine rafters were repurposed into a bespoke bench with new Douglas Fir legs.
The main staircase, stained midnight blue, provides a dramatic focal point. Made from hand-folded plywood, it curves gracefully, with a serpentine handrail echoing its form. Built by bespoke shipbuilders, the staircase’s fixtures are cleverly concealed. The first floor features the main bedroom and ensuite, where dark roof trusses contrast with the plywood ceiling. The bed rests on a timber platform with storage drawers underneath. A rooflight channels natural light into the ensuite, which includes a bespoke Japanese soaking bathtub with a raw iroko wood tap. A natural resin finish enhances the room’s tranquillity. The lower ground floor houses the kitchen, now positioned with dark timber ceiling joists, exposed aggregate concrete flooring, and a cast concrete worktop. Bespoke cabinetry and open shelving store glassware and objects, with a partial wall creating a soft divide from a front study.
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