- Project: House for Cellist
- Architect: Unagru Architecture Urbanism
- Location: United Kingdom, London
- Year: 2021
- Photography: Nick Dearden / Building Narratives
A Town-House Re-Imagined for Music, Light & Flexibility
“House for Cellist” is a thoughtful transformation of a classic Victorian townhouse into a home tuned to both living and musical practice. The client’s brief: create a bright, modern, flexible house for a cellist—one that could accommodate rehearsal, daily living, and make a direct connection to garden and light, while also protecting the interior from the busy street. Unagru Architecture Urbanism responded with a sensitive envelope, refined internal geometry and material restraint to deliver a space equal parts studio, home and retreat.
Concept & Spatial Strategy
The core concept is flexibility and flow. On the ground floor, conventional partitions and corridors are replaced by a single narrative space where entrance, kitchen, living/dining and rehearsal coexist. The geometry is carefully sculpted: a wood-and-glass box defines the kitchen, a triangular wedge contains the stair and services, and a circular skylight marks the rehearsal zone. These clear volumes allow multiple modes of use—from daily family life to quartet rehearsals—without friction.
Upper levels accommodate bedrooms, offices, and a roof terrace for open-air relief. The new rear extension opens fully to the garden, bringing greenery and natural light deep into the home.
Site, Envelope & Context
Located within a Victorian terrace in North London, the project sits in a conservation area. Unagru retained the heritage façade while introducing a rear extension and roof terrace that replaced outdated additions. The new rear volume opens entirely toward the garden with sliding glass doors, and a circular rooflight channels sunlight into the deep plan.
By concentrating interventions toward the back and roof, the architects maintained the rhythm of the street while completely reimagining the interior experience. Deep insulation, garden orientation, and sliding shading screens optimize comfort and sustainability while preserving the historic silhouette.
Materials, Light & Atmosphere
The palette is restrained yet rich: light oak floors, white plaster walls, warm wood joinery, and glass combine to create serenity. The circular skylight is both functional and sculptural—casting light patterns that shift throughout the day. The home achieves a balance between acoustic clarity for musical practice and domestic warmth for daily living.
The removal of corridors gives rhythm and generosity to the open plan, while diffused light defines zones naturally. Each element feels tuned—like an instrument in the cellist’s orchestra of daily life.
Program & Daily Life
- Ground Floor: Open-plan entry, kitchen, dining, and rehearsal zone. The circular skylight highlights the performance space, and the kitchen’s wood/glass cube adds a crafted centerpiece.
- Upper Floors: Bedrooms, offices, and ensuite spaces for private use. The roof terrace provides additional daylight and city views.
- Garden & Roof Terrace: The extension creates fluid continuity between indoor life and the garden, while the rooftop area adds a rare outdoor refuge in dense London fabric.
Sustainability & Performance
Although working within a heritage setting, the architects prioritized a fabric-first environmental approach: deep insulation, new glazing, and a green roof on the extension. These strategies elevate comfort and energy efficiency without compromising the character of the Victorian structure.
Why It Matters
House for Cellist demonstrates how a narrow urban townhouse can be reimagined for modern living and artistic practice without losing its soul. It’s an exercise in light, sound, and spatial rhythm—transforming heritage constraints into creative opportunity. The result is a flexible, elegant retreat where architecture and music coexist in perfect harmony.
