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CURATED ATLAS FOR CONTEMPORARY DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE
(London, United Kingdom)(Architecture)(Architecture Directory)2024-09-24

575 Wandsworth Road

575 Wandsworth Road is a Georgian terraced house in London, renowned for its unique interior craftsmanship by Kenyan-born artist Khadambi Asalache.


The architecture features intricate wood carvings inspired by African, Islamic, and British decorative traditions, with latticed fretwork adorning the walls, ceilings, and doors. Asalache's attention to detail transformed the house into a work of art, blending traditional Georgian elements with his distinctive, handmade designs.

Intricate lattice designs carved from pine wood, reminiscent of Islamic mashrabiya, cover doorways, windows, and shelves. The patterns are geometric, symmetrical, and filled with delicate flourishes that create a mesmerizing play of light and shadow.
Intricate lattice designs carved from pine wood, reminiscent of Islamic mashrabiya, cover doorways, windows, and shelves. The patterns are geometric, symmetrical, and filled with delicate flourishes that create a mesmerizing play of light and shadow.

575 Wandsworth Road, located in London, is a Georgian terraced house, now owned by the National Trust, celebrated for its extraordinary interior created by Khadambi Asalache, a Kenyan-born poet and artist. The house's architecture, while retaining the simple elegance of its Georgian exterior, offers a stunning contrast with its highly decorative interior. Over a period of 20 years, starting in 1981, Asalache transformed the house by hand, filling the walls, ceilings, and furniture with intricate wood carvings.

Inspired by a fusion of African, Islamic, and British motifs, Asalache crafted delicate fretwork from pine, covering nearly every surface with elaborate patterns, including latticework, arches, and geometric designs. This meticulous craftsmanship complements the house's original Georgian features like the symmetrical façade and sash windows. The carvings add a deeply personal layer of artistry to the otherwise restrained Georgian structure, creating a striking blend of traditional architecture and personal creativity. The house serves as a rare and intimate example of how one artist's vision can transform a historical building into a deeply personal, living work of art.

 The walls and ceilings feature ornate geometric motifs, some inspired by African design and Islamic architecture. These are blended with flowing arches, forming an aesthetic dialogue between different cultural influences.
The walls and ceilings feature ornate geometric motifs, some inspired by African design and Islamic architecture. These are blended with flowing arches, forming an aesthetic dialogue between different cultural influences.
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