House Style with architect Alistair Barr
After showing us around his sustainable mews house in Belsize Park, architect Alistair Barr of Barr Gazetas architects shares his house style.
How would you describe the interiors of your house?
Bright, sustainable, upside-down.
As an old stable with single aspect light, it was previously underlit. By cutting light wells, the sunlight now floods in. South-facing solar panels generate power and the light wells create natural ventilation by stack effect.
If there was a fire and you could only save one thing, what would it be?
Our cat, Santiago.
However, it would be a challenge. Although the rooms are very simple shapes, he has found many secret hiding places. Once he hid in a duct and got built into the wall by the builder for 36 hours.
What was the last thing you bought for the house?
Blue plant pots.
Our roof terrace is a work in progress, mixing terrazzo, metal and painted containers. Two bottlebrush plants are enjoying the unobstructed south aspect to create a glorious display this summer. The tomatoes and herbs in planters are running rampant.
Where do you shop for your home?
Alfie’s Church Street, NW8.
100 stalls selling antiques from 1870 to 1970 with fantastic mid-century Italian finds.
Top three coffee table books?
Never owned a coffee table.
However, we have lots of books on display: Carlo Scarpa: Venini, 1932-1947 by Marino Barovier is the inspiration for my glass collection. Isokon and the Bauhaus in Britain by Leyla Daybelge and Magnus Englund; Lawn Road is a ten-minute walk from my house. Inside Out: A Personal History of Pink Floyd by Nick Mason; the history of Pink Floyd from the drummer’s view.
If money was no object, what changes would you make?
A rear extension.
There are disused squash courts behind us that could be converted into a triple height party space with an area for my band to play.
Less is more or more is more?
Less is more.
When we buy something, we have to take something else to the charity shop to keep the balance.
Design classics or contemporary pieces?
Up to 2000.
Twenty years is enough to test the validity of a design.
If you’re having people over for dinner, what do you cook?
Prawns, chicken and pears:
AA Gill’s dirty prawns with spinach and garlic
Coq au Riesling
Poached pears with almonds
What are the best things about the neighbourhood?
It’s an urban oasis.
Belsize Park has so many trees and is next to Primrose Hill. The end of our mews was blocked by an infill house without planning permission in the 1960s. This created a quiet, cobbled street for only eight houses. The view from our terrace shows all of the City and the West End with a foreground of mature trees which promotes calm living.
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