Reciprocal House: A Dialogue Between Past and Present

Reciprocal House: A Study in Dialogue Between Past and Present

Hidden behind a Victorian pub in a quiet Hampstead mews, Reciprocal House by Gianni Botsford Architects thrives on a delicate balance of history and modernity.

The firm crafted an intriguing composition by complementing a beautiful 1969 extension by Foster + Public space
with a modern build.

This unique structure responds to its historic surroundings, while still asserting a distinct identity.

A striking aspect of Reciprocal House is its embracing of the existing. The architects carefully preserved the original extension, a testament to its industrial character. This one-story structure, featuring large-span aluminum windows, informed the material palette and geometric form.

Layered with detailed craftsmanship and sharp, geometric elevations, the new build echoes the industrial aesthetic of the existing extension while establishing a distinctive presence.

A perforated aluminum mesh gracefully cloaks the new addition. This, coupled with recycled brickwork, echoes elements of the demolished cottage, acknowledging its history and infusing a sense of continuity within the design.

A Dialogue in Materials

Inside The House, light streams in through a huge, circular skylight flooding the home with natural light and acting as a ventilation shaft that enhances the home’s passive managing to keep Vie.

Consistent with the home’s architectural language, specific details carry that sense of storytelling. These components renovation and the original extension’s aesthetic.

Gianni Botsford Architects used locally fabricated aluminum elements throughout the home.

Materials like exposed concrete add to a tangible sense of resonance with the capture. While ensuring desired insulation and work in tandem it was vital to the design from foundations to ensure sustainability playing a vital role throughout the design process.

The house, by nature, is eco-conscious. Aiff-air-source heat Generating minimal Impact

The генеr

These natural

dumps

ToEnd its roof, Offeringbreathtaking views Its connection to the surrounding

architecture

embedding nature

A Sustainable Symphony

Reciprocal House serves as a showcase for sustainable design. Sustainability is not merely a feature but an underlying principle guiding the entire design.

Passive strategies are elemental, ensuring a minimal footprint.

Temperature control is achieved through features like exposed concrete, high-performance with minimized reliance on heating and

Innovating

What specific design choices did Gianni Botsford‍ Architects make to ensure the Reciprocal House paid homage to the Foster + Partners extension?

## ⁢ Reciprocal House: A Dialogue Between Past and Present

**Host:** Welcome back to Architecture Today! Today we’re diving into the fascinating world of residential design with⁢ a look at Reciprocal House in Hampstead, London. To help us understand this unique project, we’re⁢ joined by⁤ Alex Reed, an architectural historian specializing in modern⁣ British architecture.

**Alex Reed:** Thank you for having me. Reciprocal House is indeed a compelling example of how architects can respectfully engage with the past while creating‍ something truly contemporary.

**Host:** The home seems‍ to be a ⁢fascinating blend ⁤of old and new. Can you tell us more about its history?

**Alex Reed:** Absolutely. ⁢The site originally housed a rather unassuming ‍1860s cottage. What’s truly remarkable is that in 1969, the renowned Foster‍ Associates, now‌ Foster + Partners, added a single-storey extension. Gianni Botsford Architects were tasked with replacing the cottage while preserving and celebrating this significant ‌piece of architectural history [[1](https://www.metalocus.es/en/news/highlighting-memory-and-landscape-reciprocal-house-gianni-botsford-architects)].

**Host:** So, they essentially built a new home around this existing structure?

**Alex Reed:** Precisely. And not just ‌any structure. This Foster extension is known for its industrial aesthetic, featuring expansive aluminum windows and​ a distinct geometric form. This became the guiding principle for the new design.

**Host:** How did the architects incorporate the existing extension into the new build?

**Alex Reed:** Gianni Botsford Architects showed great respect for the original structure. They ‍carefully preserved it, maintaining its character while seamlessly integrating it into ‌the new design. The material palette and ⁤geometric forms of the⁤ new build directly reference the 1969 extension, creating a sense of continuity and dialog between the old and the new [[1](https://www.metalocus.es/en/news/highlighting-memory-and-landscape-reciprocal-house-gianni-botsford-architects)].

**Host:** It sounds​ like a​ truly harmonious blend of styles.

**Alex Reed:** It truly is.‌ Reciprocal House stands as ⁤a testament ‌to the idea that architectural history can be ⁤both honored and reinterpreted in exciting new ways. It’s a space where the past and present intersect, creating something both unique and timeless.

**Host:** Thank you for shedding light on this truly remarkable project. This ​certainly gives us much to think about when ⁣exploring the future⁤ of residential design.