Oxford Gardens
London W10
Architect: Alex Michaelis
Register for similar homesDesigned for his own use by the renowned architect Alex Michaelis and built in 2004, this is one of London’s pre-eminent contemporary houses.
The property comprises a five-bedroom main house of approximately 3,074 sq ft over two floors, plus a separate one-bedroom ground-floor apartment of approximately 931 sq ft with its own access on St Marks Road. The two are linked together by a lawned garden, providing perhaps the ideal setup for family living. There may be scope to extend the lower floor of the house beneath the garden, subject to planning permission.
The house is notable for its clever use of a sensitive site between period buildings. It is almost invisible from the street, hidden behind a 6ft boundary wall, the only clue to its existence being a wire sculpture on top of the mature sedum roof. There is a gate opening onto an off-street parking area, and a separate pedestrian gate leading to a ramp that winds down to the front door.
The upper floor of the house is primarily dedicated to a wonderful open-plan reception room and kitchen, with a separate study area and huge glazed sliding doors onto the garden. An elegant open-tread staircase leads to the lower floor, with an adjacent Corian slide for children to whizz down. There are five bedrooms, three bathrooms, a utility room and a heated indoor swimming pool. The separate flat has a large reception room, kitchen, double bedroom and bathroom. The garden has a patio off the reception room, and an extensive lawn.
The house has been built with environmental sustainability in mind, with photovoltaic panels and a fresh-air supply system that minimise utility bills. For more information, see the History section.
Oxford Gardens is a beautiful tree-lined North Kensington avenue located within easy reach of the shops, restaurants and bars of Ladbroke Grove, Portobello and Notting Hill. Ladbroke Grove underground station (Hammersmith & City Line) is a short walk away.
Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. The Modern House has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.
History
Alex Michaelis is co-founder of Michaelis Boyd Architects. The practice is known, in particular, for its outstanding period conversions and new-build houses around Notting Hill, including the residence of Prime Minister David Cameron.
Michaelis created this particular house for his own use. He acquired the plot with planning permission in place, and set about transforming the plans into a discreetly luxurious but low-energy space. Digging down 22 feet, he removed 1,000 cubic metres of London clay, hiding the house behind the existing brick wall. It is constructed primarily from concrete, and light is brought in to the lower floor using a combination of rooflights and sunken courtyards.
Of the property’s ecological features, Michaelis Boyd Architects say the following:
“The house’s subterranean design benefits from the ground’s insulating properties, lowering heating and cooling requirements. All additional energy requirements are achieved by using environmentally conscious systems. A passive, filtered, fresh air supply system with indirect heat exchange provides fresh warm air to all habitable rooms, minimising heat loss through ventilation and reducing airborne pollutants.
“A solar awning also houses photovoltaic panels, providing electricity to both the house and the electric car. With all the systems working together this home only requires minimal electricity from the grid during the winter months, and in the summer months it even returns surplus electricity generated.
“The borehole to the subterranean aquifer is 110 meters deep and the water extracted is filtered for domestic supply. The temperature differential is used via a heat pump to provide both the underfloor space heating and hot water for the house. The solar awning houses evacuated tube solar water heaters, which work alongside the heat pump to fulfil all domestic hot water requirements.”
