TIGHT SPOT

Set in an unassuming corner of east London, Remi Connolly-Taylor’s bijou first build is a perfect fit

- ELLIE STATHAKI

Tucked away on an unassuming street, within a quiet residential pocket off the beaten track in east London, Remi Connolly-Taylor’s first new build cuts a distinctly contemporary figure. Marking the end of a residential terrace, the bold structure feels at once modern and respectful to the low Victorian housing it sits next to. Maryland House, named after its namesake neighbourhood in Stratford, is a highly tailored live/work space, designed precisely for the needs of its dynamic creator and her young business.

The site presented a number of opportunities to the architect. ‘We were attracted to the location, particularly being close to the well-connected and developing hub of Stratford,’ says Connolly-Taylor. Its small footprint (a mere 76.5 sq m) meant ‘we knew the house had no choice but to be different and unique. We were excited by the possibilities of how far we could push the envelope (both physical and theoretical) to accommodate modern lifestyles that weren’t currently being reflected in the borough.’

According to Connolly-Taylor, infill sites offer exciting development opportunities for architects, a view that is shared by many studios in the capital, who seek land for housing projects and increasingly end up building in neglected, awkward-sized plots, back gardens and redeveloped garage sites.