Topo Architects
Topo Architects
A house interior with parquet flooring and birch plywood timber panelling on the walls.

Studio House, Newcastle upon Tyne, 2021

This project was developed working closely with two clients; an author and filmmaker, who wished to create an open-plan, flexible space for both living and creative working. The project involved the removal of the majority of internal walls to create generous rooms that allow the clients to move between spaces as daylight changes throughout the day.

The ground and first floor have distinctively different material qualities and atmospheres. On the ground floor the spaces are simple, fresh and robust, with a polished concrete screed that is inhabited with cushions, rugs, and moments of timber throughout the kitchen and dining area. Meanwhile, on the first floor the walls and floors are fully lined with characterful timber finishes. A solid oak parquet floor brings a richness to the first floor spaces, while solid maple timber studwork and birch plywood wall panelling are used to warm the overall atmosphere. Finished with natural stains, the timber wall panelling incorporates a range of discrete and functional details such as a picture rails to the top edges, and hinged panels that allow for occasional division of the open-plan spaces.

A bathroom sits to the centre of the first floor plan which loosely defines two rooms either side. High level windows bring pockets of natural daylight into the bathroom space, creating a restorative space that can be used without artificial lighting. The bathroom is finished with a breathable, natural lime plaster and robust finishes that are used to define a fully waterproof datum. Copper pipework and industrial, cast brass fittings are left exposed throughout the space – these are left untreated to gather a patina, ageing gracefully with the space.

An angled photograph of lime plastered walls, a small circular wall light and windows.
An angled photograph of an interior with parquet flooring and birch plywood panelling on the walls.
A house interior with oak floors, timber walls and a small wooden chair in the foreground.
A corridor with parquet flooring and birch plywood timber panelling on the walls.
A zoom photograph of the junction between oak flooring, ceramic floor tiles and birch plywood walls.
The corner of a bespoke, light coloured timber wall and an open door.
A photograph of a white ceiling with small round lights.
A cropped photograph of walls with bespoke wooden joinery details and a small square window.
A zoom photograph of walls with bespoke wooden joinery details.
A house interior with parquet flooring, birch plywood panelling on the walls and a hanging picture.
A bathroom with textured cream and green walls, and sunlight coming through a square window.
A shower with textured green walls, exposed copper pipework and sunlight coming through a window.
An angled photograph of lime plastered walls, a small circular wall light and windows.
A photograph of brass taps fixed to a green wall above a white Belfast sink.
A bathroom with textured, cream and green walls and exposed copper pipework.
A kitchen with a wooden dining table and a colourful patterned rug on the floor.
A kitchen with a dining table in front of a large window with planting and flowers.
A tall red brick house at dusk, with lots of windows with lights on.
An architectural floor plan, showing a reconfigured residential living space.

Studio House, Newcastle upon Tyne, 2021

A house interior with parquet flooring and birch plywood timber panelling on the walls.
A bathroom with textured cream and green walls, and sunlight coming through a square window.
A shower with textured green walls, exposed copper pipework and sunlight coming through a window.
A house interior with parquet flooring, birch plywood panelling on the walls and a hanging picture.
A house interior with oak floors, timber walls and a small wooden chair in the foreground.
An angled photograph of an interior with parquet flooring and birch plywood panelling on the walls.
A corridor with parquet flooring and birch plywood timber panelling on the walls.
A photograph of an interior with parquet flooring and birch plywood panelling on the walls.
A photograph of brass taps fixed to a green wall above a white Belfast sink.
An angled photograph of lime plastered walls, a small circular wall light and windows.
A bathroom with textured, cream and green walls and exposed copper pipework.
A cropped photograph of walls with bespoke wooden joinery details and a small square window.
A zoom photograph of walls with bespoke wooden joinery details.
A photograph of a white ceiling with small round lights.
A zoom photograph of the junction between oak flooring, ceramic floor tiles and birch plywood walls.
The corner of a bespoke, light coloured timber wall and an open door.
A kitchen with a dining table in front of a large window with planting and flowers.
A kitchen with a wooden dining table and a colourful patterned rug on the floor.
A tall red brick house at dusk, with lots of windows with lights on.
An architectural floor plan, showing a reconfigured residential living space.

+  Project Information

This project was developed working closely with two clients; an author and filmmaker, who wished to create an open-plan, flexible space for both living and creative working. The project involved the removal of the majority of internal walls to create generous rooms that allow the clients to move between spaces as daylight changes throughout the day.

The ground and first floor have distinctively different material qualities and atmospheres. On the ground floor the spaces are simple, fresh and robust, with a polished concrete screed that is inhabited with cushions, rugs, and moments of timber throughout the kitchen and dining area. Meanwhile, on the first floor the walls and floors are fully lined with characterful timber finishes. A solid oak parquet floor brings a richness to the first floor spaces, while solid maple timber studwork and birch plywood wall panelling are used to warm the overall atmosphere. Finished with natural stains, the timber wall panelling incorporates a range of discrete and functional details such as a picture rails to the top edges, and hinged panels that allow for occasional division of the open-plan spaces.

A bathroom sits to the centre of the first floor plan which loosely defines two rooms either side. High level windows bring pockets of natural daylight into the bathroom space, creating a restorative space that can be used without artificial lighting. The bathroom is finished with a breathable, natural lime plaster and robust finishes that are used to define a fully waterproof datum. Copper pipework and industrial, cast brass fittings are left exposed throughout the space – these are left untreated to gather a patina, ageing gracefully with the space.