This large semi-detached Victorian Villa had been comprehensively re-modelled in 2016 but our clients needed a larger kitchen and more living space which would take full advantage of the beautiful south facing garden.
The solution was to connect the upper and lower ground floors directly to form a single space on two levels via a sculptural staircase in a double height glazed atrium.
LOCATION: London Borough of Wandsworth
STATUS: Completed 2023
BUILT: Elson Properties (London) Ltd
ENGINEER: Jonathan Darnell
KITCHEN: Espresso Designs Ltd
SPECIALIST GLAZING: L2i Ltd
PHOTOGRAPHER: Matt Clayton Photography
SHOOT STYLIST: Sophie Meacock/ Here There + Home
Our previous clients Katherine & James (see also SLOT_HOUSE) contacted us at the height of the pandemic in 2020 when they were thinking of buying a larger house in a leafy south-London suburb which could offer them more space and a generous rear garden.
The only problem was that the garden was north facing and, as light-loving New Zealanders, they were worried that the house would be too dark.
We were able to reassure them that with the right design we could ensure lots of natural light to the interior whilst improving the visual connection between house and garden.
Budget dictated a facelift of the existing structure rather than a rebuild so the design is a sort stage-set behind which a lot of the original building still sits.
LOCATION: London Borough of Wandsworth & Richmond, SW15
STATUS: Completed 2022
BUILT: Elson Properties (London) Ltd
ENGINEER: Jonathan Darnell
KITCHEN: Benjamin Alexander Kitchens
GARDEN: Tom Massey
SLIDING DOORS: Maxlight Ltd
SKYLIGHTS: Stella Rooflights Ltd
PHOTOGRAPHER: Matt Clayton Photography
SHOOT STYLIST: Sophie Meacock/ Here There + Home
LINKS:
TIME & LEISURE (PAGE 26)
Here you can see our shortlisted entry for an international design competition on a rural site in Umbria, Italy.
The brief called for five self contained apartments and communal facilities for guests looking to learn more about this wine production company and its various products.
Thanks to the team of Vlad Podoleanu for his invaluable critical skills and beautiful hand drawings and to Soroush Haghighat for the subtle visuals and presentational clarity.
Our clients wanted a striking makeover for this 1920s detached house that would also meet the long term care requirements of their youngest daughter, Poppy.
We were asked to retain the traditional appearance at the front but given free rein at the back.
A big open family space was a must, as were the wheelchair lift, hoists and accessbile bathrooms. Two bedrooms had to be added (one for Poppy's live-in carer) and of course it all had to be step free , from street to sun-deck!
The completed project has added more than 114 sq m of internal floor area (1225 sq ft) with the open plan family space acounting for almost 100 sq m of this (1000 sq ft).
This project was featured in the February 2021 issue of Selfbuild & Design magazine (see PRESS tab above).
LOCATION: London Borough of Lambeth, SW17
STATUS: Completed 2019
BUILT: Elson Construction & Co. Ltd
ENGINEER: Steve Nicolaou
SPECIALIST GLAZING: Vision Design Projects Ltd
PHOTOGRAPHER: Matt Clayton Photography
SHOOT STYLIST: Camilla Hegarty
LINKS:
Converting a derelict shop into a four bedroom family house with a two storey side extension and basement.
The windows are stained grey and the bricks washed with lime-slurry.
The project has been published in national and international press (see PRESS tab) and was was shortlisted for the Architects’ Journal Retrofit Awards 2021.
LOCATION: London SW11, LB Wandsworth
DATE COMPLETED: 2020
ENGINEER: William Chappell
PHOTOGRAPHY: Matt Clayton Photography (unless indicated otherwise)
LINKS:
A structural glass slot and pivoting door bring a new twist to the classic Victorian house extension and create a subtle modern backdrop to the rear deck & garden.
The project was featured in the March 2021 issue of Grand Designs Magazine (see PRESS tab above)
LOCATION: London SW15, Putney
DATE COMPLETED: 2018
BUILT: Elson Construction & Co
ENGINEER: William Chappell
PHOTOGRAPHY: Matt Clayton Photography
OUR SERVICES:
Planning and building regulation consent
Design & detailed design
Tender & contractor selection
Full project management
This 2000 sq ft house was completely rebuilt from the inside out and 500 sq ft of basement added to create a 5 bed, 4 bath family house with two double reception rooms.
The client's main concerns were to bring as much natural light to the interiors as possible whilst upgrading the whole of the building to modern standards of service and finish.
By extending the building at the side on two floors we were able to move the main stair from the centre to the edge of the building, freeing up useable floor space and flooding the house with light via a large rooflight above.
The project has been widely published online and will be featured in the April 2021 issue of Self Build & Design Magazine.
DATE COMPLETED: 2017
BUILT: Lionhead Construction
SPECIALIST GLAZING: Alco Glass Systems
PHOTOGRAPH: Matt Clayton Photography
OUR SERVICES:
Conservation area consent
Planning and building regulation consent
Design & detailed design
Tender & contractor selection
Full project management
LINKS:
The project forms one small addition to a large Victorian house located in a quiet south London Conservation Area.
Our clients had carefully extended and refurbished the house over a number of years to a high standard when they contacted us to re-design the back of the house at ground floor level.
This was the last piece in the jigsaw but at the same time would be the most important space in the house where the family would spend the majority of its time together and from where they could most enjoy the beautiful rear garden.
LOCATION: London Borough of Lambeth, SW2
DATE COMPLETED: 2023
BUILDER: AGB Building Ltd
ENGINEER: Steve Nicolaou
SLIDING DOORS: Maxlight Ltd
SKYLIGHTS: Vision Design Ltd
KITCHEN: Espresso Design Ltd
PHOTOGRAPHY: Asbjorn Schmidt (unless indicated otherwise)
LINKS:
Grand designs August 2023 edition (link to follow)
Homebuilding & Renovation Magazine Sept 2023 (link to follow)
A 700sq ft roof extension and complete remodelling of this four storey mid-terrace property in West London has created a spectacular four bedroom apartment with a 20 sq m sunken roof garden.
Structural glass roof, curtain wall glazing, Dinesen flooring and two feature staircases combine to create an extraordinary play of natural light and raw materials.
LOCATION: London W14, Hammersmith & Fulham
DATE COMPLETED: 2017
BUILT: Sarah Wain
ENGINEER: William Chappell VIDEO: Ship of Life Films
PHOTOGRAPHY: Cox Architects
OUR SERVICES:
Planning and building regulation consent
Design & detailed design
Tender & contractor selection
Full project management
This Grade II Listed 1000sq ft apartment was originally the second floor of one the white stuccoed villas north of Holland Park.
The conversion to flats meant that over time many alterations to the original layout had accrued.
Within this context, and mindful of the requirements associated with a listed building, our approach was to create a series of discrete but separate modern interventions within the historic fabric.
The best illustration of which is the kitchen which floats just away from the walls and includes a structural cantilevered peninsula (rigorously site tested as illustrated...)
LOCATION: London W8, Kensington & Chelsea
DATE COMPLETED: 2015
BUILT: Graham Elson Building Services
ENGINEER: William Chappell
PHOTOGRAPHY: Matt Clayton Photography (unless indicated otherwise)
OUR SERVICES:
Listed building consent
Planning and building regulation consent
Design & detailed design
Tender & contractor selection
Full project management
Complete internal reconstruction of a 900 sq ft derelict mews house within a Conservation Area.
LOCATION: Kensington, London W8
DATE COMPLETED: 2011
BUILT: Graham Elson Building Services LTD
ENGINEER: William Chappell
PHOTOGRAPHY: Joao Freire (unless indicated otherwise)
OUR SERVICES:
Conservation area consents
Planning and building regulation consent
Design & detailed design
Tender & contractor selection
Full project management
An unusual building to work on...Georgian style but built circa 1960 including concrete slabs and asbestos ceilings.
The house was completely stripped back and refurbished to modern standards over 2000 sq ft.
LOCATION: London W8, Kensington & Chelsea
DATE COMPLETED: 2016
BUILT: Graham Elson Building Services LTD
ENGINEER: William Chappell
PHOTOGRAPH: Will Eckersley
OUR SERVICES:
Conservation area consent
Planning and building regulation consent
Design & detailed design
Tender & contractor selection
Full project management
A 2500 sq ft end-of-terrace house, unaltered since early 1960s which was completely remodelled, extended and refurbished.
Our starting point was to bring as much natural light into the house as possible using large plate glass skylights and windows and to make the social spaces more open to each other without losing functionality.
Period features were generally retained but were not re-instated where missing. New building elements were to be read as such.
LOCATION: Kensington & Chelsea, London SW10
DATE COMPLETED: 2012
BUILT: Eamonn McCluskey
ENGINEER: William Chappell
PHOTOGRAPHS: Matt Clayton Photography (unless indicated otherwise)
OUR SERVICES:
Listed building consent
Planning and building regulation consent
Design & detailed design
Tender & contractor selection
Full project management
Remodelling the ground floor, rear facade and garden of a small Victorian house.
LOCATION: London SW12, Wandsworth
DATE COMPLETED: 2011
BUILT: Graham Elson Building Services LTD
ENGINEER: William Chappell
PHOTOGRAPH: Joao Freire (unless indicated otherwise)
OUR SERVICES:
Planning and building regulations consent
Design & detailed design
Tender & contractor selection
Full project management
This was a really beautifully built project by Contractor Robert Godek. A lot of attention to detail.
The whole house (approx 3000 sq ft) was completely refurbished over a period of eight months and the rear elevation remodelled with rear/side extensions at ground floor level.
The loft was also extended, roof insulation massively upgraded and solar thermal panels discretely installed at roof level to offset running costs of the house in the long term.
LOCATION: London SW4
DATE COMPLETED: 2012
BUILT: Robert Godek
ENGINEER: Steve Nicolau
PHOTOGRAPHY: Matt Clayton Photography
OUR SERVICES:
Conservation area consent
Planning and building regulation consent
Design & detailed design
Tender & contractor selection
Full project management
Project to remodel an early Victorian terraced house in a Conservation Area.
Where space is tight our ensuite 'pods' are a way to sucessfully incorporate wardrobes and ensuite shower rooms within an existing room.
Joinery: Woodland London Ltd
Photographs: Matt Clayton Photography (unless indicated otherwise)
Carlo Scarpa-style 'floating' steps formed in site poured concrete as a sculptural feature in a tiny split level courtyard.
LOCATION: London SW4
DATE COMPLETED: 2012
BUILT: Robert Godek
PHOTOGRAPH: Matt Clayton Photography
(unless indicated otherwise)
We secured planning consent for this two storey rear extension in a Conservation Area.
Previously arranged as 3 beds/2 bathrooms, we extended the property by 270sq ft arranged as 4 beds, 3 baths (2 ensuite) plus a utility room.
Materials used include zinc roofing, structural glass and stained timber cladding.
LOCATION: London SW17
DATE COMPLETED: 2015
BUILT: Jeff Harvey Supreme Builds
PHOTOGRAPH: Matt Clayton Photography (unless indicated otherwise)
Two sections of twin-wall flue pipe rescued from a building site and re-purposed as wall lights in our meeting room!
LOCATION: London SW10
DATE COMPLETED: 2016
BUILT: Vlad Podoleanu
We called it 'the pit' but with a lot of attention to detail this deep, shallow rear lightwell became the kind of pit you want to hang out in as well as forming a beautiful backdrop to the rooms at the rear of the house.
Glass mosaic wall tile, mild steel planter & site cast concrete bench were the main elements of the scheme.
DATE COMPLETED: 2017
BUILT: Lionhead Construction
PHOTOGRAPH: Matt Clayton Photography (unless indicated otherwise)
A metal framed staircase over three flights with ash treads and handrail.
The beams which support the staircase are Z-shaped in elevation.
They don't touch the walls at any point but rather are supported off short cross beams beneath the landings
The slim white balusters fix to metal blades themselves fixed into the ends of the ash step treads.
LOCATION: London W8
DATE COMPLETED: 2017
BUILT: Diaxis LTD
STRUCTURAL DESIGN: Barton Engineers LTD
PHOTOGRAPH: Matt Clayton Photography
Garden gate and boundary wall capping in galvanised mild steel.
LOCATION: London SW12
DATE COMPLETED: 2017
METAL FABRICATOR: Jim Macafferty
BUILT: Uk Kraja
A glass slot and a gold bar.
These low, sculptural walls were formed straight in concrete blocks, then cleverly rendered out to achieve the tapering sides.
To increase the sense of sliding motion in the garden, the travertine paving slopes up as the walls slope down.
Jesse Noble of Noble Landscapes described working with the travertine in December as 'like laying slabs of ice'.
LOCATION: Balham, London SW12
HARD LANDSCAPING: Noble Landscapes
DATE COMPLETED: 2010
Our 'story-board' entry reached the last 10 amongst nearly 500 international submissions and received an Honorable Mention in this competition for a vertical cemetery in Tokyo.
DATE COMPLETED: 2016
DRAWN: Vlad Podoleanu
TEXT: Steve Cox
The design is like a piece of theatre scenery or backdrop. A folded screen placed in front of the host building which sets the stage for and defines the character of the tiny urban courtyard garden beyond.
LOCATION: Kensington, W8
STATUS: Planning
Most remodels involve some built-in furniture and we treat each as a project in its own right.
Thanks to Lone Kaalund of Danish manufacturer Fibreline for providing this Lay Light cladding sample for our 1930s House Remodel project (see elsewhere on this site).
We re-imagined the panel as a wall mounted light using dimmable LED ribbons and clearly illustrating the potential of the product to create beautiful effects with both artificial and natural light.
Light design: Marina Valpones
Images: Cox Architects
