Wooden Roof, Islington

Tsuruta Architects for private client
Contract value: undisclosed 
GIA: 19m²

The concept for this conservatory was for it to be an integral part of the garden as well as of the grade II listed home in a Conservation Area. Wood, used in a contemporary way, was thought to be the most appropriate material in such a traditional context. The design arrived at a combination of short and steep falls with long and shallow falls in a complex diagrid frame, which were all CNC milled. All fabricated pieces were light enough to be carried manually and fixed with traditional carpentry skills on site in a short time frame. External timber elements underwent shou-sugi-ban, a traditional Japanese wood-charring technique to protect it against fungus and rot. Wood tends to stain inconsistently, especially in a London climate; the darkness of this charred finish keeps the look of the roof consistent over time, and its rich, oiled internal finish.

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