London Fields West, London E8

Designed by the brilliant architectural practice, Chance de Silva, this exceptional three-bedroom house lies on the corner of London Fields. Attentively designed inside and out, the home has a courtyard, a terrace, and a balcony at the front - a set of extraordinary outdoor spaces each designed with a separate purpose in mind. Moments from the park, its lido, and Broadway Market, it marks a rare opportunity to live in immediate proximity to one of east London's most loved green spaces.

The Architect

Chance de Silva specialise in contemporary one-off houses. The practice often collaborates with artists, musicians or performers on their designs, including Vex, a fluted concrete house created with the musician Scanner. They have been exhibited at the Venice Biennale and their work has been the subject of TV features in the UK and France and on BBC radio.

The Modern House has long collaborated with the practice, including on Venus in Highbury.

The Building

The building's idiosyncratic triangular shape cuts a dramatic street-level profile. Predominantly clad in red ochre zinc and yellow brick, its palette of materials has been chosen to respond to (and contemporise) the surrounding vernacular of London Fields. The building is made up of two houses, both with their own front doors and balconies that overlook the park beyond.

The Tour

Entry to the house is from the street, where the front door opens to a lobby area with soaring ceilings and plenty of space for coats and shoes. In front is a guest WC, executed in bold primary colours.

A ground-floor living room lies adjacent. Dual-aspect, it is illuminated by floor-to-ceiling windows in the front and sliding doors at the rear. A versatile space, this area would suit a variety of uses, from home office to snug and everything in between.

Limestone steps ascend to the kitchen, which stretches the breadth of the wall. A minimal, understated design makes use of grey cabinetry that chimes with the broader decorative palette. A thick concrete dining table sets the scene for dining on the opposite side. The floor is laid with soft yellow linoleum, adding a striking pop of colour. Hanging plants dangle from the cut-out skylight, enclosed in steel, from the second living room above.

Two generous double bedrooms and the main bathroom lie on the lower-ground floor. Full-height glass doors in each allow plenty of natural light to pour through. Both open onto the courtyard in the centre, enclosed with leafy jasmine and laid with slate gravel. Subtle green and yellow pastel hues have been applied to the doors and the bathrooms, which include an en suite in the main bedroom. Limestone paving lies throughout, warmed beneath by underfloor heating.

The first floor is given over to a second split level, with glazed doors leading out to a balcony at the front. Wide wooden flooring laid here brings warmth to the concrete walls. Great care has been taken to perfectly angle the windows in this room for optimal privacy. A versatile room, this area could easily be configured as a third bedroom through simple remedial work due to the position of the shower room and large windows.
Outdoor Space

The outdoors can be enjoyed from each of the house's three distinct outdoor spaces.

From the kitchen, a terrace overlooks a lower-level courtyard garden, designed to create a sense of expansion to the lower-ground floor. Covered in fragrant jasmine, it stays wonderfully cool in the warmer months, while the terrace has plenty of space for a table and chairs and is conveniently placed next to the kitchen.

Upstairs, a balcony unfolds from the living areas and looks over the green expanse of London Fields beyond. Shrouded in natural sunlight due to its south-west orientation, this area offers the perfect suntrap and an ideal spot to sit and read.

The Area

The building is excellently located in central Hackney, just to the west of the popular London Fields and bustling Mare Street, and close to the green spaces of Victoria Park and the Regent’s Canal path.

There are many fantastic cafés and restaurants locally, notably Pophams and Lardo on Richmond Road, Little Duck The Picklery and Angelina on Dalston Lane, Elliot’s on Mare Street, and Pidgin and Violet on Wilton Way. There is an overwhelming sense of community in the area, with weekly markets at Victoria Park and Well Street, as well as on Broadway Market, which has a reputation for some excellent places to eat and drink. E5 Bakehouse, on the edge of London Fields, is excellent for freshly baked artisan bread and grains.

Kingsland Road is a short walk away with all that Dalston has to offer, including Brilliant Corners, The Jago and The Dusty Knuckle. The Talbot and The Spurstowe Arms are among local favourite pubs.

London Fields Station is a 5-minute walk away, offering regular overground services to Liverpool Street. It also provides easy connections to Hackney Central and Dalston Junction, which forms part of the East London Overground extension, with routes into Highbury & Islington. There are excellent buses in the area, including those that run from nearby Kingsland Road to London Bridge.

Tenure: Share of Freehold
Lease Length: Approx. 999 years remaining
Service Charge: TBC
Council Tax Band: E