As we all adjust to life and work merging into one, we thought it would be interesting to see how architects in our community – as sharp-eyed observers of domestic life and space – are responding to spending all their time at home. The resulting sketches and observations here form intimate vignettes of quotidian moments, from coping with kids to the communal nature of the kitchen table.

Stephen and Annabelle Harty, Harty and Harty (sketch above)
“Being in lock down makes us think about what we really love to do, which we can’t at the moment: swim in the sea, sail, fish, gut mackerel, pick crabs, cook and eat with friends. And so, we dream of a sea shack.”

Read more: Annabelle and Stephen Harty on the pros and cons of open-plan living at their Victorian townhouse in Dalston

Johan Hybschmann and Margaret Bursa, Archmongers
Johan Hybschmann: “My sketch (below top) is about the multifunctional use of spaces when spending 24 hours a day with my family at home, where every inch is in use at the moment.”

Margaret Bursa: “My sketch (below bottom) is about the reality of working from home with small children in the house!”

Sophie Goldhill, Liddicoat & Goldhill
“Here is a top-down view of our current work/home school table. We’ve always liked the idea of working all together at a big table, even if we have to share it with our kids’ felt tips and glue gun!”

Simon Astridge, Simon Astridge Architecture Workshop
“A Door.
A Tree. 
A Meal. 
A Table.”

Sally Mackereth, Studio Mackereth
“I’m here with my son, Oscar and our two cats – we are both living and working from home in Kings Cross.

“The house, formerly a derelict Victorian stable, is hidden from the street and arranged around a series of walled courtyard gardens. We feel lucky to be cocooned in our sheltered world, able to witness the spring flowers starting to emerge and the leaves budding on the silver birch trees. 

“Our only glimpse of the city outside of the compound is via the oculus in the roof formed in black steel, double-curvature panels. Inspired by James Turrell, the oculus means we can enjoy the world beyond our own through this oval framed aperture to the sky.”

Read more: Sally Mackereth on living in a lighthouse at her enchanting holiday home in Norfolk

Lizzie Fraher, Fraher and Findlay
“This is my world when I work from home. I have a desk set off our first-floor landing with an amazing view over the green roof to the garden. When I work at my desk I feel as though I am in the middle of the house and my family –  surrounded. This is sometimes great and sometimes can overwhelm and my two daughters are being homeschooled whilst we juggle work, so everybody is feeling this at the moment. The sunlight that comes streaming in through the window over my desk and down the stairs gives me everything I need. I also try to surround myself with greenery and the palms, desk plants and green roof improve my well being. My home is my bubble at the moment.”