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A Sun-Drenched Greenery-Filled Home in the Heart of East London

ByMyProperty Life

Tucked away behind a veil of Victorian terrace homes in Walthamstow, East London, Catching Sun House emerges as a hidden oasis rooted in sustainability and biophilic design. Conceived and realized by architect Mark Shaw of Studioshaw as his personal residence, the 1,453-square-foot home reimagines a former MOT garage into a bright, nature-filled refuge that blurs the boundaries between indoors and out.

A modern living room with a gray sectional sofa, colorful cushions, abstract art on a white brick wall, plants, a rug, and large windows overlooking greenery.

The house is intentionally secluded, accessed via a shared driveway and surrounded by gardens on all sides. But within, it opens up to the sky, sunlight, and greenery for living life close to nature. The home’s layout orbits around three distinct courtyards, each with its own microclimate and purpose: one optimized for winter sunlight, another designed to encourage biodiversity, and a third that functions as a transitional garden corridor.

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Modern living room with large windows, abundant natural light, indoor plants, colorful pillows on a gray sectional sofa, artwork on the wall, and views of a lush garden outside.

Modern living room with concrete walls, a dark sofa, potted plants, and a glass wall showcasing a lush garden patio outside.

Modern living and dining area with large windows, indoor plants, sheer curtains, and abundant natural light, opening to a lush garden.

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The richly planted landscape design weaves through and around the home to create a seamless connection between built form and greenery. Developed in collaboration with award-winning landscape designer Charlie Hawkes, the planting scheme enhances biodiversity and invites nature into every corner of the property.

A bright room with large windows, sheer white curtains, potted plants, a white chair, and a table with a colorful hanging light fixture.

Biophilic principles are embedded throughout the home’s architecture. Natural light is invited into every corner via carefully placed openings and skylights, while the material palette – timber, exposed concrete blocks, and anodized aluminum – offers a grounded, tactile experience that complements the surrounding flora. Views are deliberately framed: toward a neighboring wildlife reserve, across planted courtyards, and upward to the open sky.

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A modern kitchen with concrete block walls, light wood cabinets, a stainless steel sink, and a slanted ceiling with a high window letting in natural light.

A modern house with wooden cladding is partially obscured by green plants, with large windows revealing a living area and artwork inside.

A small urban garden with dense green plants and purple flowers beside a gray concrete wall and a window with white curtains.

A modern glass sliding door opens to a dining area with chairs, surrounded by greenery and trees reflected in the glass.

A sunlit interior with concrete block walls, leafy green houseplants, framed artwork, and a slanted wood ceiling.

Furthering the home’s immersive natural atmosphere is a glass-enclosed outdoor shower. Nestled in the eastern courtyard, the deep sunken tub is set within a lush, almost tropical pocket of greenery – its position on the home’s east-west axis allowing for optimal morning sun. Together, the bath and shower transform daily rituals into moments of calm, rare within the city.

A bedroom with a bed, potted plants, concrete walls, and large glass doors opening to an outdoor patio with lush greenery and a high window above.

Minimalist outdoor shower with a rain showerhead, concrete block wall, glass panels, and several potted green plants on the floor.

At a systems level, Catching Sun House is a model of energy-efficient living. It integrates passive solar strategies, including orientation and thermal mass, alongside an air source heat pump and a whole-house heat recovery ventilation system. Insulation is enhanced throughout, allowing the home to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter with minimal energy use.

A minimalist bedroom with a white bed, concrete block walls, large windows, and a view of lush green plants and trees outside.

A bedroom with unmade white bedding next to large windows overlooks a small garden with leafy green plants and a concrete block wall.

“More than just a home, this project embodies a philosophy of well-being and sustainable design that is at the core of what Studioshaw stands for; daylight, greenery, and thoughtful spaces come together to create a sanctuary,” shares Shaw. “The interplay between built form and nature fosters a restorative environment, and offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of urban life.”

A glass wall separates a lush garden with large leafy plants from a minimalist bedroom with a white bed and concrete block walls.

A modern outdoor bathtub with metal and wood panels is set among lush green plants against a white brick wall.

A modern home office with a built-in desk, red chair, bookshelf, potted cactus, and large windows letting in natural light.

Despite its oasis-like aesthetic, the project involved an intricate negotiation process, including securing 27 party wall agreements. The effort was well worth it as the design is an inspiring example of how architecture can elevate well-being through a deliberate dialogue with nature.

A minimalist loft room with sloped ceiling, large windows, light wood walls, a gray sofa, red chair, wall art, and a cactus near the window.

Contemporary house with large windows and a wooden facade set among traditional brick buildings, viewed from a rooftop with overgrown vegetation and a partial glass skylight.

Modern house with a large horizontal window on the upper floor, surrounded by trees, set among traditional brick homes under a clear blue sky.

Modern two-story house with large horizontal windows and wooden exterior, surrounded by trees, set among traditional brick houses at dusk.

For more information on the Catching Sun House and Studioshaw, visit studioshaw.com.

Photography by James Brittain.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.

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