The Cloud House: A Playful, Sustainable Fairytale in Camden

We caught up with the creative minds behind the Cloud House, husband-and-wife duo architect Peter Morris and TV producer Emily Kennedy, to dive into the story behind the plans and inspiration of this standout home in Gospel Oak. Referred to as a “Disney castle,” the Cloud House is set to become a local landmark, celebrated for its whimsical pastel arches and vibrant design that melds Miami’s Art Deco charm with Camden's historic flair.

Situated right across from the Grade I listed St. Martin’s Church, this home won’t just be a treat for the eyes; it’s also being designed with sustainability in mind. With features like an air source heat pump and mechanical ventilation heat recovery (MVHR), the Cloud House ensures that being stylish doesn’t come at the expense of the environment. Below, Peter Morris shares insights into the journey of bringing this imaginative home to life.

What inspired the design of the Cloud House?

“The whole idea began during our honeymoon in Miami,” Peter explains. “I was really taken by the Art Deco buildings - their playful curves and those gorgeous pastel colours, especially pink and turquoise. I thought, ‘Why not bring that joy into our own home?’ But I also wanted to respect the surroundings here in Gospel Oak. The nearby St. Martin’s Church, with its stunning arches, played a huge role in shaping the design. I aim to mix the fun Miami vibes with those local architectural elements.”

How did the location influence the design?

Peter: “The site really shaped what we plan to create. Being next to such an iconic building as St. Martin’s Church, I felt it was important to incorporate similar arches into the Cloud House. At the same time, I wanted to create something that stood out and made a statement. The bright colours will help the house pop against the more traditional buildings in the area, giving it that extra hit of character. My goal setting out was to create a home that felt joyful not only for my wife and daughter but also for our neighbours and passersby.”

Can you walk us through your design process?

Peter: “Taking the site as a whole, there was only one small two-storey house on a plot of land that could accommodate two three-storey houses. I like to refer to it as a smile that has a missing tooth. To maximise our building's potential, we conducted a rights of light study, which helped us determine the maximum envelope we could work within. For our home, number 20A, I placed the social spaces - kitchen, dining, and living room - on the ground floor, where we had the most area. For number 20, I put the social spaces on the upper floor since the ground floor was smaller, and we utilised the roof for a garden. Then I added the arches, windows, doors, and of course, those pink and turquoise colours.”

What challenges did you face during the project?

Peter: “The biggest hurdle was definitely getting planning permission - it took five years in total! Camden Council wasn’t immediately on board with the unconventional design. There were a lot of discussions, but ultimately, we got the approval we needed. I also had to compromise a bit; I originally envisioned barrel-vaulted ceilings throughout the entire house, but we only had enough height for them in the main social spaces. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as it will give those specific areas of the house a really distinct feel.”

Sustainability seems to be a big focus for you. How did that shape the design?

Peter: “Absolutely. From the start, we wanted the Cloud House to be eco-friendly. We’re including an air source heat pump and a mechanical ventilation heat recovery system to keep energy use low. Instead of a concrete slab, we’re opting for a floating timber floor to minimise our carbon footprint. We’re also adding extra insulation to exceed building regulations. It’s great to have a home that looks stunning but is also kind to the environment.”

What aspect of the Cloud House are you most proud of?

Peter: “I’m really proud that we’re creating a home that’s not just beautiful but also functional. The Cloud House will be joyful and inviting, which was my goal from the beginning. Plus, it’s great to know that it’s environmentally responsible. It’s all about blending joy with practicality.”

What trends in architecture are exciting to you right now?

Peter: “I think we’re starting to see more personality and colour in modern architecture. For too long, minimalism and neutral tones dominated, but people are ready for more vibrant designs that reflect their individuality. The Cloud House is a perfect example of how architecture can be fun and still functional.”

Finally, what was the funding process like - and how did you come to find Sammon Mortgages?

Peter: “We initially came to Sammon Mortgages on the recommendation of Simon Stone at the Unique Property Company , and we are incredibly glad to have worked with both companies in the course of this project – The Cloud House would not be happening without them. Let me explain why.

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What we’re in the process of building is actually two houses, not just one. The Cloud House is the collective name for our building, which is made up of a pair of semi-detached homes – one of which is for me and my family, and one of which is being built for our lovely neighbours, Thuzar and Philippe.?

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With two new houses going on the site, we were no longer in the ‘self-build’ category, we were in the ‘developer’ category, and that meant we had to get to grips with a whole load of rules around tax and community infrastructure levy (CIL) which we hadn’t really taken into consideration initially. At first, we thought we’d build both houses using development funding and then sell the second house as soon as it was finished. Vince at Sammon Mortgages brilliantly managed to find some funders who liked the individuality of our project and were willing to back us to do that, but the deal came with risk – the interest rate being offered was high, and if we hadn’t completed and sold the second house within 24 months, there was a chance that the backers could have called in the loan and we’d have been in trouble. Plus, as we learned more about the tax and CIL situation, we realised that – as ‘developers’ – it would cost more to build the second house, and service all these extra charges, than we’d be able to sell it for, so we had to give up on that idea.

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After that, we decided that the only way we’d be able to build our side of The Cloud House would be with a self-build mortgage – and that the best way to get the other half built too would be to find someone else who also liked the idea of self-building. So we put half the plot on the market with the Unique Property Company, and that’s how we found Thuzar and Philippe who – luckily for us – were excited about the idea of building a house from scratch, and loved the look of The Cloud House, so they bought the plot for the new ‘No 20’ and we retained the plot for the new ‘No 20A’.

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So that’s how we have ended up with The Cloud House being the product of two sets of self-builders working collaboratively with each other, to create two separate semi-detached homes. As our site is made up of two separate self-build plots, Thuzar and Philippe pay all the bills for their house, and Emily and I pay all the bills for our house. And as we’re both classed as ‘self-builders’ we will be able to move into our respective homes when they’re ready, and as long as we each live there for at least three years, we won’t be subject to all the tax and CIL charges that come with being categorised as ‘developers’.

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The funding of the project wasn’t straightforward – mostly because we didn’t really understand at the start the differences between those two different categories – but at every stage of the process, Vince and Joanna at Sammon Mortgages have patiently helped us to explore all our options. We are looking forward to working with them on the final stage of the process once the house is finished – swapping our self-build mortgage for a regular mortgage, which will be on a much lower rate.

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We are utterly indebted both to the Unique Property Company, who initially recommended Sammon Mortgages, and managed the sale of half of our plot to Thuzar and Philippe – and also to Sammon Mortgages, who have helped us with the funding of this project every step of the way.”

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Thanks, Peter!

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The Cloud House is a shining example of how creativity and sustainability can go hand in hand. With its playful design and eco-friendly features, it’s a future standout in Camden, sure to bring a smile to anyone who sees it. This unique residence showcases the synergy of Peter Morris and Emily Kennedy’s talents and highlights the importance of embracing individuality while being mindful of the environment.

You can find more information on the progress of The Cloud House build on their website.