Featured in the New London Architecture Don’t Move, Improve! exhibition, Loft Library, designed by Arboreal Architecture, presents 40 linear metres of book storage space within a two-storey terrace house.
Originally built in the 1980s, the Walthamstow-based terrace was fabricated with brick cavity walls and a trussed rafter rooftop — structural timber frameworks designed to bridge the space above a room.
Rather than adding an extension or constructing a new loft structure, the architectural team decided to work with the fabric of the building; and resultantly, Loft Library illustrates Arboreal’s approach to design: to enliven occupant’s lives with sustainable architecture bursting with character.
In the construction of the library, a space to study was added at the end of the room; the diagonal truss members were replaced with timber arches; and bookshelves were crafted between each arch.
Using 18mm spruce plywood, the room’s curved arches were designed by templates drawn in CAD; and afterwards, the plywood was cut to shape by Cut & Construct. The ‘screw-hole’ assembly of the design makes Loft Library easy to construct and, if needed, deconstruct.
The addition of three vertical triple glazed windows installed on the north elevation between the trussed rafters provides an abundant amount of morning light, whilst a window to the west of the space was installed to catch the evening sun.
The use of the sustainable plywood and incorporation of windows results in the loft retaining heat and harvesting sunlight, which over time, will reduce the carbon footprint and energy costs.
To view more about this project, visit Arboreal Architecture’s website.
