Cambridge Terraced Houses

In Argyle Street, Cambridge, two new contemporary townhouses now stand thanks to the help of okoHaus and Rationel’s alu-clad timber windows and doors. What were once bomb-damaged two-up, two-down houses – and later became a car repair garage – have now been completely transformed into stunning award-winning homes, designed by Ze’ev Feigis and Julian Vargas of Borough Architects and Inti Construction, respectively.

A Modern Twist on a Classic Design

The main goal of the townhouses is to harken back to the old railway worker cottages while providing a modern take and elevated environmental standards. Because of this, the project team needed the help of okoHaus to fully handle the implementation of the multiple traditional-looking recessed windows at the front and deep bay windows on the ground floor.

The recessed windows sitting back from the street provide shade, privacy, and a space for planting. They also tie the design together to mimic the red and yellow gault bricks of the old railway workers’ homes.

To achieve the desired look and functionality, Ze’ev and Julian worked closely with okoHaus founder John Lewis and with his guidance and expertise, eventually opted for Rationel’s AURAPLUS alu-clad triple-glazed windows and doors, with this vision in mind:

“The houses repeat the known layouts of the existing workers’ terraces,’ says Ze’ev, ‘but they are adjusted to modern times. At the front, there are the same number of windows and same location of doors, but the walls are well insulated, the windows are triple glazed and the doors wide and flush to allow a baby’s buggy or wheelchair in.”

Beyond the windows and doors, both houses have an open-plan living/dining/kitchen space with front-to-back views, a utility, a loo, three bedrooms, an upstairs bathroom, and a study. Contaminated soil was even removed to create back gardens.

Making the Right Window and Door Choice

When working on the project, Ze’ev and Julian had very specific standards for high-performance, inward-opening, aluminium-clad timber windows and doors as a single system, saying:

“In a way, the windows had to “disappear” and let the brickwork take centre stage. We wanted something so well designed that you look through it and not at it.”

With the aluminium cladding already in mind, the team had to make a difficult choice between double and triple glazing, but working closely with okoHaus made the decision process a lot easier. Eventually, triple-glazed windows and doors were chosen as they are of higher quality and mean the house requires less heating.

The Rationel AURAPLUS range has allowed for several design elements to come together, including side-guided windows, fixed living room lights, and fully reversible windows for the first and second floors, front and back. The designers have implemented elegant and breathtaking Anthracite Grey windows with white timber frames, as well as green AURAPLUS glazed entrance doors.

Immediate Success Story

The build immediately became a smashing success, gaining widespread praise and acclaim to the point of both homes selling immediately to two locals – one from the other side of the street and the other moved in from a few streets away.

The throwback design and classic aesthetic definitely helped accomplish this feat. “The deep bay windows on the ground floor are a modern interpretation of the railway workers’ terraces,” Julian notes, “where the hierarchy of the resident was reflected in the window design.”

Full Client Satisfaction

Since the full supply and installation process was made by okoHaus for the Cambridge terrace houses project, the team had nothing but praise to share:

‘They were very diligent and helpful, with a deep knowledge of the different systems,’ says Ze’ev. ‘We made some last-minute decisions and they accommodated those very patiently. The installers were efficient and highly professional, too. It was the first time I’d worked with John and we’ve since collaborated on other projects.’

Everyone involved with the build was also satisfied and impressed by the collaborative spirit that okoHaus always aims to maintain:

“Trust is the most precious thing for a team. We had each other’s backs, which made the project a joy to work on.”