The AJs Architects Working Details were first published in 1953. Originally written by Colin Boyne, they ran to a series of 15 classic black-bound volumes. After a long lull, the series was revived in 1988 by the AJs then editor Peter Carolin, in a series of spiral-bound volumes edited byDavid Jenkinsand then continued later by Sue Dawson, in an occasional series that appeared up until the early 2000s. Consisting of a selection of details originating from the building studies published in the AJ at the time, Louis Dezart, the AJs in-house Drawings Editor and then later Dawson re-drew and re-scaled the drawings many by hand to fit the pages of the AJ, with constituent components clearly annotated.Almost 20 years on, were very pleased to be bringing the series back, with the first edition published in December featuring a round-up of details published in AJ Specification case studies over the past five years. They have been organised in five sections: faades and cladding; doors and windows; kitchens and bathrooms; roofing and drainage and, finally, walls, ceilings and partitions.The buildings werent especially chosen on their aesthetic merits, but more to demonstrate a range of typologies and scales across the country. And, as with previous versions, this first series is intended to offer a collation of ideas about detailing.AdvertisementEach detail most previously published but some never seen before has been re-edited so the drawings look consistent throughout. They are accompanied by project data and the issue of AJ Specification that the building appeared in for reference, together with some images and a short description authored by the designers of each building.In total we present 28 projects across five sections, which, while not a comprehensive primer, are intended to offer a good comparative range of approaches to key areas of construction. Although some details chosen demonstrate relatively new techniques, the majority refine tried-and-tested methods of making buildings.The overarching aim remains the same as before, however: to enable and encourage those working in the built environment to share information on solving problems in design.Each of the five sections are being published over five weeks with this week the focus being on kitchens and bathrooms. Check out the two previously published sections on faades and cladding and doors and windowsalso.Janus House by Office S&MHidden bathroomPhotos: French + TyeThe clients approached Office S&M to replace a poorly built lean-to behind their terraced house in Walthamstow. They wanted the new extension containing a kitchen and bathroom to be clearly different from the late Victorian property, while relating to it in scale.AdvertisementThe design made best use of the restricted space by splitting the extension diagonally with a storage wall. This removed the need for separate circulation space by hiding the bathroom, shower and storage, while also directing and framing views of the garden. In the kitchen, it provides daylit space, while the bathroom has a view over the garden from the tub.The two-faced aspect of the design is expressed externally by the shapes of the window, door and rooflights: circular openings for the bathroom, rectangular for the kitchen. These motifs responded to fixtures and fittings that the clients had already bought for the extension, such as the kitchen table, terracotta pendant light and pastel 1930s bathroom suite. The contrasting circular and square geometry of the windows was developed from these existing pieces to link exterior to interior, and the theme continues throughout, with details such as rectangular light switches and circular door pulls.The sprayed-on rubber exterior creates a monolithic background which wraps the two halves of the extension together. The unusual industrial material, Prokol polyurea, was chosen because of its low cost, seamless finish and contrast with the existing brickwork of the terraced house. Originally developed for oil rigs, it is waterproof, wont weather and is guaranteed for 60 years.To complement the rubber, further industrial materials are used inside: a polished concrete floor; zinc worktop and encaustic swimming pool tiles. These durable materials are warmed up with a yellow colour scheme that changes in intensity from the canary-yellow Formica kitchen cupboards to the soft, butter-coloured tiles in the bathroom.Location: London SE5| Completion: May 2018| Gross internal floor area: 110m | Structural engineer: MDA Structures | Kitchen designer: Toby Mower | AJ Specification issue: April 2019Southgrove Road by From WorksBespoke kitchen and tablePhoto: Mark HillyerFrom Works was approached to design a bespoke kitchen within a new extension for a family home in Sheffield. The design is a tailored response to the clients ambition to create a calm space, sensitively connected to both garden and the existing interior. A photograph of a moss-covered rock, taken on a countryside walk, was the clients inspiration for the look and feel, and so the design also engages with a certain as-found materiality of the Peak District.In addition, the project looked to highlight what is special about Sheffield: its proximity to the Peak District and the fantastic local material suppliers and fabricators.From Works designed the project with a holistic approach in mind, ensuring that the new kitchen worked within its context. The studio incorporated a new breakfast table designed in solid-edged stained plywood and stainless steel that works in harmony with the greater scheme.Throughout the design process From Works developed a series of material samples to reflect the robust yet characterful nature of the clients early concept photograph. The kitchen and joinery pieces are hand-made locally in Sheffield from solid-edged stained birch plywood and steamed beech with fossil limestone worktops and splashbacks sourced from a Derbyshire quarry.The stained plywood elements evolved through a testing process of experimentation with different stain types, number of coats, application methods, sanding the plywood first using different grits and using different finishing lacquers to ensure an appropriate aesthetic and a durable finish.From Works took a similar approach with the fossil limestone elements, visiting both the quarry and stone workshop on numerous occasions to carefully select the different slabs to help control the variation of fossil and colours to complement the proposed materials palette.Read more hereLocation: Sheffield| Completion: October 2017| Gross internal floor area: 18m | Structural engineer: MDA Structures | Kitchen contractor: From Works| AJ Specification issue: April 2019Nourish Hubby RCKa ArchitectsKitchen hatchPhoto: Francisco Ibez HantkeThe Nourish Hub replaced a vacant former post office to provide new community facilities where learning about healthy eating and cooking food could take place.Featuring a commercial kitchen, dining area, teaching kitchen and rentable workspace, the Hubs main priorities are to provide food, education and community engagement. Therefore the main space has been designed for openness, accessibility and flexibility.The design and layout of the interior spaces was the product of a series of community engagement workshops. The first phase of this took the form of a shutter-painting day that was used to advertise the project and kickstart the consultation process. A young persons workshop helped to define the patterns that now cover the ceiling and make up the branding for the whole project.A new shopfront creates a welcoming face to the Hub, with both kitchens on display. A large opening into the dining space encourages passers-by to come in, while a hatch from the kitchen allows kitchen staff to greet the public and serve takeaway food.The Nourish Hub is an intensely used public building and the products and materials were specified to create a welcoming and uplifting space for the community that was also robust and minimised maintenance.Commercial stainless steel cabinets and countertops were used for both kitchens to create a professional space and these provided cohesive design throughout the Hub. The teaching kitchen uses domestic cookers and induction hobs on a large kitchen island with a dropped central section to promote togetherness through cooking.Timber furniture contrasts with the stainless-steel kitchens, adding warmth and character. Bespoke plywood furniture is positioned around the Hub, inviting users to circulate around the space, grab a plate and get involved.Read more hereLocation: London W11| Completion: July 2021 | Gross internal floor area: 416m | Structural engineer: Conisbee| Main contractor: Carmelcrest| AJ Specification issue: March 2022The Goodenough by Roz Barr ArchitectsHotel bathrooms and tilingPhotos: John McLeanThis project was the refurbishment of 65 rooms of The Goodenough Club, a four-star hotel that is part of Goodenough College, a charitable foundation providing postgraduate student accommodation in Londons Bloomsbury.The club is situated in five Grade II*-listed Georgian town houses on Mecklenburgh Square, with a mews extension dating from early 2000 to the rear. The project was part of a phased programme of works the practice had been working on since 2014.The aim of the project was to preserve, enhance and restore the historic qualities of the rooms and improve their internal layouts while offering a contemporary response to the listed setting. The practice developed a design palette and elements that could be adapted and repeated across all the buildings and offered a response to both heritage and user requirements. Wall panelling conceals services and all furniture was bespoke, including vanity desks, wardrobes and ottomans, as free-standing pieces that allowed the rooms to retain their distinctive character.The works at Goodenough Club involved extensive research into finding materials and finishes that responded to the historic and listed requirements of the Georgian buildings but were robust enough to sustain daily use within guest rooms.Roz Barr Architects designed and mocked up a typical bathroom and bedroom for both phases of the project. An element of repetition was required to unite the room types and to define an identity for the newly refurbished club. The practice specified a linseed oil wood stain to birch ply panels to offer longevity and allow the natural materiality to be revealed. The colours selected were complemented by oak frames and simple detailing to ensure fabrication was economical. Five complementary colours are used throughout the club, reflecting different room types but also nodding to the heritage of the site. Read more hereLocation: London WC1| Completion: July 2022| Gross internal floor area: N/A| Heritage consultant: Ramona Usher| Main contractor: Oakside, Fileturn| AJ Specification issue: March 2023Hackney School of Food by Surman WestonTeaching kitchen and gardenPhotos: Jim StephensonHackney School of Food was a joint venture between LEAP Federation of Schools and the Chefs in Schools charity. In 2018, Surman Weston won an invited competition to help the organisations realise their vision for a purpose-built food education hub.Situated in one of inner Londons most deprived neighbourhoods, the project converts a redundant school caretakers house into a specialist food education centre for primary school children and the local community. The heart of the project is the educational kitchen, where children learn how to cook fresh, healthy and delicious food from scratch. Working within a tight budget, the kitchen is designed to be robust, unfussy and joyful and to accommodate a class of 30 students.The first floor level of the existing building was removed to create a bright and voluminous double-height space. Architectural interventions were targeted on the elements that add the most educational value: specially designed height-adjustable cooking stations allow all ages and abilities to comfortably cook; above-worktop-level wall finishes are left largely as stripped; and the sprayed-in roof insulation is left exposed.The formerly derelict gardens are transformed into thriving productive spaces that allow children to grow food from seed and provide outdoor cooking and eating spaces. A mural gives the previously stark street-facing elevation a cheerful presence.Cooking stations feature induction hobs mounted flush with stainless steel counters, allowing children to slide heavy pans across the surface. Induction hobs were chosen with user safety in mind the hobs only function when in contact with a pan. Cupboards below the countertops are removable to allow wheelchair users to use the stations.Read more hereLocation: London E5| Completion: February 2020| Gross internal floor area: 59m | Structural engineer: Structure Workshop| Main contractor: Modernarc| AJ Specification issue: April 2021The Little Big House by Knox BhavanAccessible kitchen and bathroomPhotos: Edmund SumnerThis custom-built, energy-efficient dwelling in Hertfordshire was crafted to cater to the specific physical needs of its occupant, Henry Fraser, an artist, author and motivational speaker, who experienced a life-altering accident in 2009, leaving him paralysed from the shoulders down.The project offered an opportunity to fashion a home tailored to Henrys requirements, affording him a degree of independence with the support of live-in carers. Henrys unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship guided the design ethos, alongside the imperative for a controlled internal climate to regulate his body temperature.The architectural configuration was devised to accommodate Henrys disability. Considerable attention was devoted to situating the bedroom and bathroom, ensuring abundant daylight and garden vistas spaces where Henry frequently resides. The bathroom, designed as a wet room, boasts a generous corner window providing an outlook onto the garden. In the bedroom and den, a discreet harness integrated into the cabinetry offers support as needed, retracting when not in use.Every finish was chosen with functionality, openness and affordability in mind, all geared towards making Henrys daily life easier. Corian and stainless steel were selected for their durability and ease of cleaning. The integrated hoist was seamlessly plastered into the ceiling to minimise its prominence. Sanitary fixtures and appliances were chosen for their durability and affordability.Henry aimed for a low-maintenance bathroom design because he is unable to clean himself and relies on carers for this. The bathroom shower tray is set flush into the flooring, with an extended hose on the hand shower to enable Henry to be washed while in a wheelchair. A wall-mounted custom mirror, with a bathroom TV carefully set into it, is angled to allow Henry to see himself from his wheelchair. The walls feature simple white mosaic tiles, accommodating the small curves in the wall radius.Read more hereLocation: Hertfordshire| Completion: December 2021| Gross internal floor area: 226m | Structural engineer: Structure Workshop| Main contractor: Philiam Construction| AJ Specification issue: March 2024