Ben Ridley is an architect who transformed an Edwardian-period house into his urban retreat in London, a space where design and sustainability go hand in hand. "As an architect, I always wanted to build a low-energy house. When I found this dilapidated house in London, it was a great opportunity. My aim was to show what can be done in a traditional Edwardian house from 1907 to significantly lower energy consumption and make it comfortable and sustainable. I tried to follow passive principles in the process: a super-insulated construction, triple glazing, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. For the transformation, I used natural materials like wood and local stone instead of concrete and steel. The stone really helps keep a house cool on a summer's day. This proves that sustainability can be an opportunity and not a constraint."
The house's welcoming and minimalist atmosphere was created by using natural materials and emphasising natural light. The limited palette of materials and colours helps create a calm environment, to which the furniture also contributed. The choice of quality pieces from Vitra follows the same logic of durability as the other elements of the house, which were designed to be lived in and to gain a beautiful patina over time.
"Furniture made from natural materials feels welcoming. At home, I like things to be clean and minimal, like a Zen space, a calm haven to return to after a busy day. When I see Astrid, my cat, I feel like I'm home. That's what I'm looking for, to walk through the front door and feel relaxed. Minimalism is not an end in itself; it only comes alive through comfort."
