Niwa House is a new family home constructed on a contaminated and constrained brownfield site behind a row of terraced houses. The project makes innovative composite use of timber with thin stone slabs above as primary structure, ensuring both materials are highly utilised. The main house comprises a single storey with basement, and a secluded single storey annex was created to the rear. Extensive remediation was required to resolve historic ground contamination.
This elegant project uses stone in a way that puts the right material in the right place.
The design allows for future disassembly and reuse of both timber and stone. Prefabrication of the timber components, and the use of simple prismatic flat stone slabs, minimised overall waste and the need for additional architectural finishes.
Close collaboration with architects, contractors, and suppliers led to a well-coordinated design that optimises structural and material efficiency while simplifying the construction process and reducing waste.