Willows House: A Testament to Modern Architecture Inspired by Nature

Rado Iliev's Award-Winning Design Marries Simplicity and Functionality

Rado Iliev, the mind behind Willows House, drew inspiration from nature, simplicity, and modern architecture. The aim was to create a large, open volume that offers clarity in terms of function, space, and surroundings, allowing for easy movement within and outside the house.

What sets Willows House apart is its unique architectural language. A two-storey, 350 square meter family residence, its trapezoid footprint is dictated by the shape of the plot. The house features a narrower entry facade and a wider facade facing north towards a mature garden with two large willow trees. A crescent-shaped wall slices through the garden, providing a flat lawn area in the originally sloping plot.

The house was constructed using blockwork and steel structure on a concrete base slab. The design boasts 350 square meters of internal habitable space, offering a spacious and comfortable living environment. The design tags associated with this project include modern, contemporary, house, design, and London.

The design was realized with the help of Sub Zero Architecture, who served as the executive architect. The project started in autumn 2016, with the drawings package released in May 2016. The house, located in North London, was completed in 2019.

Willows House is not just a testament to space, light, and order, but also a poetic exploration of design. The simple language of the design reaches out to the surrounding nature, particularly the two mature willow trees in the garden. The irregular form of the plot and the sloping terrain are addressed with a simple gesture - an elegant curved white wall that serves as a sculptural accent in the garden, underlining the willows and providing flat lawn space.

Willows House has been recognized for its outstanding design, winning the Silver A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2020. This prestigious award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation. The award is a testament to the strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill that Willows House embodies.