An Urban Sanctuary in the Trees – Trace Architects Featured in Enki Magazine

In the heart of London, where space and tranquility are rare luxuries, we’ve created something special—a home that feels both connected to nature and sheltered from urban bustle. We’re delighted to announce that this project, a collaboration with YAM Studios, has been featured in Enki Magazine, a publication known for showcasing thoughtful and sustainable design.

Bringing Nature Indoors

This London residence creates a unique relationship with its surroundings. Rather than competing with the mature trees nearby, the home embraces them. Large windows frame beautiful garden views while letting natural light flow through the interior spaces throughout the day. The design creates a seamless connection between the home and its natural setting.

The project reflects our commitment to architecture that responds to its environment. We carefully considered the site’s natural features—its light patterns, layout, and existing greenery—before designing a single element. The result is a contemporary home that feels perfectly at home in its setting.

Materials That Tell a Story

Working closely with YAM Studios, whose refined approach to interiors complements our architectural vision, we selected materials that are both beautiful and meaningful. Limestone surfaces with subtle natural patterns, warm timber elements that will age beautifully over time, and precise metal detailing come together to create a rich, layered experience.

These material choices create more than just a visual impact. They enhance how the home feels to live in—the coolness of stone on warm days, the warmth of wood against your hand, the way different spaces sound and feel as you move through them. These sensory elements transform a house into a home that engages all the senses.

Creating Privacy Without Isolation

One of the project’s greatest achievements is how it balances privacy with openness. While maintaining essential seclusion in a busy urban environment, the design creates various connections to the outdoors. Covered terraces extend living areas outside, carefully designed overhead elements filter harsh sunlight, and strategic plantings create garden views that blur the line between inside and out.

This approach perfectly aligns with Enki Magazine’s focus on designs that connect meaningfully with their surroundings while addressing the practical needs of modern living.

Recognition of Quality

We’re particularly pleased to see this project recognized by Enki Magazine. Their commitment to showcasing architecture that balances innovation with environmental awareness mirrors our own approach at Trace. We don’t just design buildings; we create lasting environments where life unfolds in spaces defined by quality materials and thoughtful design.

View the complete feature: Trace Architects and YAM Studios Join Forces to Create an Urban Sanctuary Floating Amongst the Trees

View our Gallery page for Skyline House here

Photography by Simon Maxwell