Pocket House
Melbourne Grove, London SE22

SOLD

Architect: Tikari Works

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“This place is dancing on its feet” - Grand Designs, House of the Year

An exceptional example of contemporary housing built within strict constraints, Pocket House is a multiple award-winning residence in East Dulwich by leading architectural practice Tikari Works. The house was completed in 2018 and was immediately nominated for RIBA House of the Year for the ingenious use of its plot. It is configured across three spacious levels and has a sunken courtyard and lightwell that draw wonderful levels of natural light across the plan. The house is set back from a peaceful residential street in south-east London, with an exterior clad in beautiful oiled cedar louvres that casts a striking profile over the private garden.

The Architect

Tikari Works was established in 2014 by Nicola and Ty Tikari and has recently won a RIBA London Award; it has also been shortlisted for both the RIBA House of the Year award and the Stephen Lawrence Prize. In addition, the practice was selected as one of Wallpaper* magazine’s top 50 worldwide emerging architects in 2019. The practice’s Rye Apartments project in Peckham received a RIBA National Award 2020, a RIBA London Award, and was the winner of the Gold Award at the Wood Awards 2020.

Their work is underpinned by a desire to find sustainable design solutions that combine pragmatism with a soulful, craft-based approach.

The Tour

Pocket House is located on a quiet no-through road that runs parallel to Lordship Lane in East Dulwich. It sits back from the street behind a private courtyard, lined with planters and a small vegetable garden. Access is to one side of the sunken courtyard, leading into the entrance hall via a smart front gate. To one side are a concealed WC and a storage cupboard, perfect for coats and shoes.

Beyond the entrance hall, the house opens up to the kitchen and dining room. These spaces are wonderfully bright care of the full-height glazing that looks to the courtyard beyond. Natural light illuminates the natural palette of materials, setting a peaceful tone with OSMO oiled spruce panels, exposed Danish clay bricks, polished concrete floors and North American Douglas fir joists. There is zoned underfloor heating throughout.

The kitchen is formed of bespoke units of birch ply with whitewashed spruce veneers, manufactured by Uncommon Projects. Worktops are made from HI-MACS, while the integrated oven is by Smeg, the fridge and freezer by Siemens, and the hob, with low-level extraction, by Bora. The dining room flows from this space out to the courtyard garden at the front of the house. Glazed doors break down the boundaries between inside and out, creating a sense of seamlessness across the ground floor.

The first floor is home to a beautiful living room with copious amounts of built-in storage space and a Juliet balcony. Bookshelves are lined with careful brass detailing, while full-height sections of glazing allow for elevated views over the garden.

The lower-ground floor contains two bedrooms and a family bathroom. This part of the house is accessed via a bespoke timber staircase, made of plywood with brass detailing. The spaces within have been carefully designed to capitalise on the natural light that enters via the centrally positioned courtyard, which doubles as a lightwell. Full-height glazing draws natural light into both bedrooms, which resounds off polished concrete floors. Each of the bedrooms has built-in wardrobes, shelves and desks, perfect for working from home. Further storage space is located under the staircase, as is a utility cupboard with space for a washer and dryer.

Outdoor Space

Pocket House sits behind a low brick wall, concealing a private brick courtyard lined with planters and a small vegetable patch. This is an excellent place for an early morning coffee, or even as a space for entertaining in the warmer months. The lower ground level courtyard is a quiet, secluded spot that has enough room for outdoor seating. To one side, concealed storage offers space for bikes and bins, while also secreting the house’s boiler.

The Area

Pocket House is perfectly positioned for the broad selection of cafes, bars and restaurants in both Peckham and East Dulwich. Nearby Lordship Lane is home to a vast number of independent shops including Mons CheesemongersMoxon’s FishmongersTerroirs wine bar, Bon Cafe and a wonderful deli, Jones of Brockley. The East Dulwich Picturehouse is a 10-minute walk away. The green spaces of Peckham Rye Park and Dulwich Park are within easy reach, and nearby Dulwich Leisure Centre has a public swimming pool and gym.

The house is conveniently located within the catchment area of several sought-after schools, such as The Charter School East Dulwich and Goose Green Primary School.

The nearest stations are Peckham Rye, North Dulwich and East Dulwich, which run Southern Rail services and citywide London Overground services. Trains to London Bridge take approximately 13 minutes. There are also excellent bus connections within the area.

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.


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