Hidden House is situated atop the prison vaults once belonging to the Clerkenwell House of Detention (1847) and next to a converted Victorian school, both Grade II-listed buildings. Given the small plot of land, high-profile neighbouring buildings and proximity to Clerkenwell’s vibrant design district, the building presented a constrained brief. Of the utmost importance was the retention of privacy whilst maximising light and space.

We responded to the challenges with considered delight. Ocular rooflights allow views to the sky and to the heavy decoration of the adjacent elevation of the former school building, whilst the vertical sliding doors in the front elevation reveal views into a large well-kept shared garden.