West Port, a London-based architectural firm, has successfully completed construction of an innovative gatehouse residence in Kensal Green, marking a significant achievement in contemporary urban design. The unique project, situated on a constrained end-of-terrace site, serves a dual purpose as both a family home and a secure access point to a larger residential development located behind the property.
The architectural challenge centered on creating a welcoming family residence with virtually no usable ground-floor living space, while simultaneously providing secure pedestrian and vehicular access for existing residents in the development behind. The ground floor features a compact entrance hall that provides access to the two upper residential floors, with approximately one-third of the footprint dedicated to bicycle and waste storage alongside the vehicle access route.
The first floor houses the main living areas, including a kitchen, dining room, and living space that opens onto a private balcony, complemented by two bedrooms. The second floor, nestled within the roof space, contains a large master bedroom and an adjacent bathroom, maximizing the use of the limited vertical space available.
According to Shaun Obinna Ihejetoh, co-founder and director of West Port, the design team faced a unique challenge in balancing functionality with aesthetic appeal. "The difficulty for the design team was how do you create a warm and inviting family home that virtually has no ground-floor space and needs to act as a secure pedestrian and vehicular entrance to the existing residents behind?" Ihejetoh explained.
The most striking architectural feature of the gatehouse is a playful, curved oriel window that serves as both a design statement and a visual marker relating to the bay windows characteristic of the Victorian houses along the terrace. This distinctive element helps the modern structure integrate seamlessly with the historical streetscape while maintaining its contemporary identity.
West Port's design philosophy emphasized respect for the existing urban fabric while introducing fresh architectural language. The firm employed a careful massing strategy that aligns with neighboring buildings, matching roof ridge heights, eaves, and window levels to maintain streetscape coherence. The design reflects what the architects describe as "a deep understanding of historical continuity of the Victorian proportions" while offering a contemporary interpretation through modern detailing.
The construction utilizes a hybrid steel and timber structural system, with steel framing on the ground floor and timber construction above. This approach was necessary to accommodate the complex requirements of creating a large void at ground level while supporting the residential floors above. The building envelope incorporates high-performance materials including brick, glass reinforced concrete (GRC) panels, walnut frames for windows and doors, and high-performance render.
Thermal performance was a critical consideration in the design, particularly given the cut-through driveway on the ground floor where heat loss was most likely to occur. The architects specified high-performance insulation and implemented meticulous detailing at junctions with the highest risk of thermal bridging, ensuring the "floating house" maintains optimal heating and cooling efficiency.
The construction process proved challenging due to several factors, including the complex structural requirements, the detailed work needed for the oriel window feature, and the existing underground services running beneath the site to serve the residential units behind the property. Additionally, the proximity to the gable wall of the adjacent property at No. 2 Buller Road added complexity to the construction process.
The rear elevation features large framed glazed elements that allow northern light to penetrate the living and dining spaces. An integrated balcony, carved into the roof volume, provides private outdoor amenity space without impacting surrounding views, demonstrating the architects' sensitivity to both residents and neighbors.
Interior layouts prioritize comfort, space efficiency, and cross-ventilation despite the constraints imposed by the unusable ground floor. The design team focused on maximizing natural light and creating functional living spaces within the compact footprint of 96 square meters of gross internal floor area.
The project, which began construction in June 2023 and reached completion in March 2025, was developed for client Artform on behalf of the Wedge Group. The collaborative effort involved multiple consultants including JMS Group as structural engineers, Jostec as mechanical and electrical consultants, Third Revolution Projects for planning consultation, Scenesmith for interior design, and Schroeders Begg for daylight and sunlight analysis.
The gatehouse's gable end was deliberately designed without windows to future-proof the structure for potential development on the adjoining Kensal Green Tabernacle car park site, while still contributing positively to the local streetscape through carefully considered facade detailing. This forward-thinking approach demonstrates the architects' consideration of long-term urban development patterns.
West Port's ultimate goal of creating a "contextual statement bookend to the Buller Road streetscape" has been achieved through what the firm describes as "intense collaboration with the client, consultants and later the main contractor." The completed gatehouse stands as a bold contemporary addition to the Victorian terrace while respecting the established urban rhythm and architectural heritage of the Kensal Green neighborhood.
