Lay House
July 27, 2020
Ström Architects designed a private two-storey home in Walton-on-Thames, a town in the county of Surrey, England.
Lay House sits on a road of large residential properties, many of which have been recently rebuilt in a Neo-Georgian style.
Ström Architects has purposefully avoided a single monolithic mass, which could have appeared bulky or intrusive. Instead, the studio has split the house into two volumes to reduce the visual form.
Ström Architects has purposefully avoided a single monolithic mass, which could have appeared bulky or intrusive. Instead, the studio has split the house into two volumes to reduce the visual form.
By splitting the house in two, it allows the internal functions to be rationalised: the smaller volume to the South contains the social spaces (living, dining and kitchen), whilst the taller one to the North houses the more functional spaces (plant room, utility, study and garage). The entrance is located in the void space between these two cubes, where Ström Architects has also created an open-tread staircase which allows light from both sides of the house to filter down into the hallway.
Externally, the studio has created a small courtyard at the front which provides a private sitting area extending out from the living room. This space is screened from the driveway, but allows morning and midday sun into the house. Large windows help to blur the boundary between inside and out, so that the courtyard feels like an external room.
The new house is to be built from brickwork, picking up on the materiality of neighbouring properties – but elongated long format bricks will give a more elegant, modern aesthetic. The brickwork is taken internally – running through the staircase void – to enforce the presence of the two separate volumes on either side of you.
The interiors have been designed by Ström Architects, to ensure that they have a coherent relationship with the architecture. A simple material palette of stone floors, oak panelling and black metal, complements the brick of the building. The intention is to provide contemporary, robust and elegant interiors that offer a sense of calm, harmony, and reprieve from a busy world.
At first floor level there are three children’s bedrooms and a playroom / snug in the Northern part of the house, with the master suite and guest bedroom being located above the social hub to the South.
Photography by Nu.Ma
www.stromarchitects.com
SHARE THIS
Contribute
G&G _ Magazine is always looking for the creative talents of stylists, designers, photographers and writers from around the globe.
Find us on
Recent Posts
Following the success of Mo de Movimiento, Proyectos Conscientes presents TRAMO in Madrid: a visionary project rooted in sustainability, inclusion and urban renewal.
At a time when design is redefining its priorities, the contemporary landscape of interiors, décor, and outdoor living is clearly shifting from a digital-centric vision toward a more human, emotional and nature-driven approach. This transition was strongly evident during the latest editions of Warsaw Garden Expo and Warsaw Gift & Deco Show , held at Ptak Warsaw Expo from 10th to 12th February 2026.
Merav Bustan, founder of the Berlin-based design studio bearing her name, is the creative force behind the interior design of the new boutique hotel, VIA Antwerp , located in the vibrant heart of the Zurenborg district.
From January 18 to 20, 2026, Destination Design confirmed itself as a key observatory for contemporary living where design is no longer just about form or function, but about emotion and adaptability for the future.
Workspace Design Show is set to take place from February 25-16, 2026, at the Business Design Centre in London, returning with a powerful series of immersive installations that bring the theme Connected Realities to life.
DA bureau designed a 150 m² apartment in St. Petersburg, conceived to offer comfortable, functional living for a couple with three children.
Subscribe
Keep up to date with the latest trends!
Popular Posts
interihotel once again amazed the city of Barcelona from October 21st to 23rd, bringing more than 11,600 industry professionals from around the world, reaffirming its position as Europe's leading event for hospitality design.
At M&O September 2025 edition, countless brands and design talents unveiled extraordinary innovations. Yet, among the many remarkable presences, some stood out in a truly distinctive way. G&G _ Magazine is proud to present a curated selection of 21 Outstanding Professionals who are redefining the meaning of Craftsmanship in their own unique manner, blending tradition with contemporary visions and eco-conscious approaches.
Nestled at the foot of Shuiguan Mountain, just an hour's drive from Beijing, Commune by the Great Wall stands as a testament to contemporary architectural innovation harmoniously blended with China's rich heritage.
