UK-based architectural practice Studio RHE was approached by a client who desired the creation of an unusual and ambitious project: to transform the roofs of two adjacent mansion blocks in London’s Notting Hill into one all-glass home, offering stunning views of both the sky at night and the surrounding area.
If you’re given the task of building an all-glass home in one of the most exclusive areas of England’s capital, it’s advisable to go all-out – and all-out did Studio RHE go. A lightweight laser-cut stainless steel frame was fabricated to house ventilating gull-wing-opening windows and curved blinds. The shape of the home essentially serves to add a Mansard roof to the existing buildings, and the effect is sympathetic to the local architecture.
The windows themselves are operated hydraulically, with inbuilt rams pushing the 500-kg (half a ton) units up to the horizon line. Since an all-glass home doesn't leave much room for moving parts, such workings are hidden from view by removable panels.
The issue of the two buildings being physically separated was elegantly solved by employing a two-story glass bridge, perhaps ruling out Notting Hill Penthouse as a dream home for those who suffer with vertigo. On that note, private access to the property is gained by passing through a Panasonic iris-identification system, and then riding a glass elevator to the top.
Modern amenities include a full color LED and cold cathode lighting system, controlled by a Lutron home automation unit, in addition to remote-controlled fireplaces and under-floor heating. Invisible TV monitors are also cleverly hidden behind antiqued mirror panels, but whatever happens to be on the telly, we have a feeling all eyes will be turned outside.
Source: Studio RHE
