The Rain and Rain House is an extension of a two-story Georgian row house. The architect carefully redesigned and expanded the rear of this valuable heritage property, maintaining the original material style while emphasizing the backyard. This project, completed by Tonkin Liu Studio in collaboration with local craftsmen, serves both as a studio and the partner’s residence. The original backyard wall supports a roof made from composite panels. To maximize sunlight in the courtyard, the vertical and horizontal walls twist freely, responding to the sun’s path.
Concept Analysis
When it rains, water flows down the roof into pipes installed along the concave surface, eventually collecting in a reservoir. Ingeniously, the reservoir can overflow into the entire courtyard, creating a reflective, mirror-like surface on sunny days—flowers reflected in water, a peaceful moment suspended in time.
The roof is 1.1 meters thick, functioning as a thermal insulation layer, perforated with various circular skylights that mimic raindrops falling on water. These skylights cast circular ripples when it rains, offering a small blessing amid gloomy weather. Beneath this extended roof, daily work and life continue seamlessly, blending the mundane with the poetic.
The sunroom facing the courtyard doubles as a unique meeting space during work hours and a perfect relaxation spot during leisure time.
Roof Design Analysis
Facing the courtyard is a mirrored wall. The small space behind this wall houses a kitchen, workspace, storage room, a potting shed, and soil beds for planting small trees on the roof.
Below this is an expanded basement where all daily living and grooming activities occur. The bedroom looks out onto a small light well, carefully designed to create shifting patterns of light and shadow. The view below serves as a sanctuary for a collection of specimen plants. In the rain and sunshine room, lush spring roofs, sparkling pools, and layered urban gardens offer a connection to nature—allowing residents to immerse themselves in and respect the natural world.
Architectural Night View:
Design Drawings
△ Location Map
△ Plan View
△ Reflective Ceiling Plan
△ Longitudinal Section
△ Longitudinal Section
△ Horizontal Section
△ Section Details
△ Original Architectural Floor Plan
△ Original Building Section Diagram
Project Information
Project Type: Independent Residential Extension
Location: London, UK
Architectural Firm: Tonkin Liu Architects
Area: 80 m²
Year Completed: 2017
Photographers: Edmund Sumner, Greg Storrar
Suppliers: Allgood, Altima, BBS, BBS Brick and Stone, CNC, Cantifix, Decospan, Felicity Jones, Grymsdyke Farm, James Latham, Liquid Waterproofing, Sky Garden, Steyson, Tim MacFarlane, iGuzzini
Structural Engineer: Rodrigues Associates; Tim MacFarlane (glass staircase)
Main Contractors: Camden Carpenters (main contractor); Jim Mustil (plywood roof contractor); AY Construction (basement contractor)
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