Runda House: Sustainable Design in Urban Context

Innovative Structural Design

This new three-story, three-bedroom house was designed using a full timber frame, reflecting a commitment to sustainability and natural materials. The structure features subtle curves, such as circular windows and gently slanted walls, creating a smooth and flowing visual experience between floors. This design balances functionality with visual appeal, serving as a living example of creative architecture that considers a low environmental impact.

Integrating Playfulness with Sustainability

The design style conveys a sense of playfulness without compromising practicality. The flow of interior spaces allows free movement between rooms, while the intelligent use of timber ensures resource efficiency and minimizes environmental impact. These features demonstrate how modern architecture can be both innovative and flexible, while also addressing environmental and social considerations.

Urban and Historical Context

The house is situated on a plot that was previously used for brick production on Lamble Street, adjacent to a 1960s terrace designed by Powell & Moya within the Lamble Street Estate. This context adds a historical dimension to the house, blending local architectural heritage with contemporary design solutions, highlighting how architectural projects can transform neglected land into livable spaces in a sustainable and thoughtful manner.

Street-level view of Runda House's curved brick corner on Grafton Road with a pedestrian walking by. — Located on a former brickworks site, the house utilizes its unique curved boundary to dictate its flowing architectural form. (Image © Lorenzo Zandri)

Detail of the entrance gate and circular window of Runda House set against a textured brick wall. — Intricate details, such as the custom metal gate and circular window, highlight the craftsmanship involved in the Runda project. (Image © Jasper Fry)

Close-up of Runda House entrance featuring light brickwork, a timber-framed glass door, and integrated greenery. — A combination of a solid timber structure and a brick facade pays homage to the site’s industrial roots. (Image © Lorenzo Zandri)

Impact of the Site on the Design

Upon first discovering the site, it was an abandoned plot located on a corner, enclosed by a fence and defined by a distinctive curved line. This unique geometric line became a guiding element for the project’s design, directly influencing the building layout and the architectural language employed. This approach demonstrates how the site itself can shape the architectural identity of a project, leveraging the natural and geometric characteristics of the land rather than ignoring them.

Structure and Facade

The house was constructed with a robust timber frame and a brick facade, referencing the site’s former industrial roots and the surrounding brick buildings. The facade follows a dual-tone brick pattern, aligning with the height of the adjacent terraces. This approach reduces visual heaviness and creates a balanced visual rhythm along the facade.

Moreover, circular and semi-elliptical openings introduce natural light and visual movement, reflecting a sense of “refined playfulness” in the interior design. This highlights the architect’s ability to blend aesthetics with practical functionality.

Modern open-plan kitchen and dining area in Runda House with light wood cabinetry and minimalist furniture. — The interior is defined by a full timber frame, creating a warm, natural atmosphere that prioritizes resource efficiency. (Image © Lorenzo Zandri)

Sustainability and Energy Efficiency

The design of the Runda House reflects a clear commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency. Through careful selection of materials and energy strategies, the house achieves an anticipated 62% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared to current Part L1 standards. The project integrates context-sensitive design with practical environmental solutions, including:

Green roof that improves thermal insulation and reduces energy consumption.
Air-source heat pump to support a low-energy heating and cooling system.
Timber structure that lowers embodied carbon compared to traditional brick and stone construction.

These strategies demonstrate how modern architecture can seamlessly combine aesthetics with environmental performance.

Interior Spaces and Attention to Detail

Inside, timber defines the ambiance, creating a warm and natural environment. The entrance opens into a living area and open-plan kitchen, with large windows overlooking an internally planted courtyard, enhancing the connection between interior and exterior while creating a sense of spaciousness.

Architectural details exhibit intelligence and innovation, such as:

Timber wall panel that conceals storage under the staircase and forms a foldable door to discreetly separate spaces when needed.
Curved staircase connecting all three floors, made of stainless steel and oak, reflecting the sculptural lines of the house.
Skylight that channels natural light deep into the stairwell, while a circular opening frames mid-stair views of the surrounding neighborhood.

These elements illustrate how meticulous detailing can enhance spatial experience while maintaining harmony between aesthetics and practical functionality.

Sculptural oak and stainless steel curved staircase in Runda House illuminated by a circular window. — The central curved staircase, made of oak and steel, follows the house’s sculptural lines and is flooded with light from a skylight above. (Image © Jasper Fry)

Bedrooms and Upper Floors

The lower floors contain two bedrooms and a family bathroom, where the combination of smooth plaster, light timber, and polished metal fixtures creates a calm and stable atmosphere for daily living. The upper floor hosts the master suite, which opens onto a furnished private terrace, providing a space for relaxation with outdoor views. A circular skylight also channels natural light into the suite’s bathroom, enhancing the sense of spaciousness and connection to daylight.

Education and Community Engagement

The impact of sustainable design extended into educational and community initiatives through collaboration with STORE Projects. Building on the site’s history as a brick kiln, Flawk partnered with STORE’s after-school program, which supports youth from underrepresented backgrounds in creative courses.

Students learned hand modeling, 3D scanning, and ceramic casting to produce handmade ceramic handles and buttons for the house, creating a direct link between the community and the building. Additionally, a semicircular curtain, hand-stitched from fabric by the Law collection, adorned the circular ground-floor bathroom window, accompanied by a handmade brass faucet, reflecting the designers’ attention to detail and craftsmanship in interior design.

Interior study nook in Runda House with a curved white wall and a large glass door leading to a terrace. — Subtle interior curves and large windows create a seamless visual experience between the different floors and outdoor spaces. (Image © Lorenzo Zandri)

Bright hallway in Runda House showing a circular skylight and minimalist wooden doors. — Strategically placed skylights and circular openings enhance the sense of space and connection to the natural environment. (Image © Lorenzo Zandri)

Minimalist bedroom in Runda House with a curved wall, circular window, and soft natural lighting. — The bedrooms combine smooth plaster with light wood to create a calm and grounded environment for daily life. (Image © Jasper Fry)

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

Although the design of the Runda House demonstrates a clear commitment to sustainability and the use of natural materials, and serves as an example of integrating interior functions with the urban context, certain aspects of the project raise questions regarding practical application and future flexibility. Relying entirely on a timber structure may offer environmental benefits, but it could impose limitations on expansion or future modifications, particularly if the family’s needs or maintenance requirements change over time.

Similarly, the subtle curves and unconventional windows add a distinctive visual character but may increase construction and maintenance complexity compared to more standardized solutions. On the other hand, the focus on integrating educational and community elements is a positive step that can be built upon, yet applying such experiences to other residential projects would require a broader study of different contexts and available resources.

Overall, the project provides valuable points for review and improvement, especially regarding structural flexibility, maintainability, and the balance between aesthetics and everyday use, making it a noteworthy case from which architects can learn when designing future complex and sustainable projects.