Blythe Road, completed in 2016, is a new build residential project in West London on the site of a former MOT centre. The house uses traditional building materials whilst seeking to showcase great modern design, skillfully demonstrating that new builds can be imaginative and family homes need not sacrifice style. Maximising light was key to the design and the building was pulled back from the neighbouring walls to allow space for windows and light to seep in to all four sides of the house. The final form, covered in handmade Petersen bricks, is composed of a long thin base that runs the length of the plot. On top of this are two curvaceous, almost cylindrical towers, one towards the front and one at the back of the site. The middle part of the plot could not be filled without reducing light to neighbouring properties, so a slim bridge with green roof connects the two volumes. The house has been designed with children in mind. From slides to hidden areas and a fireman’s pole which mischievously connects the ground and first floor, there are plenty of playful details that elevate the project to a truly bespoke piece of residential architecture. Two roof terraces and a ground floor courtyard with swimming pool maximise the external spaces which are at a premium in this central location. The house succesfully accommodates the large family, with the 3,500 sqft space offering eight bedrooms and four bathrooms as well as a generous living space.