© Fernando Manoso
A subtle interplay of light and shadow enlivens the interiors of the end-of-terrace house that architects Louise and Sean McMahon designed for a filmmaker and writer in the east London district of Leyton. Its loam-rendered walls, exposed masonry brick, timber beam ceilings and two patios are reminiscent of the traditional architecture of Mexico, a country the client visited frequently. The writer also served as the project manager, in order to maintain the limited budget. The aim was to create as much living space as possible on the very narrow site covering roughly 135 m2, in close cooperation with the architects. The building was designed with flexibility in mind, in order to enable changes to the functional program over time.