A slight increase in floor area, a complely reimagined interior layout and a radical architectural expression for a rear extension to an existing Victorian home.
This project retains the existing shape and foundations of a rear extension with an overly prescriptive layout built by the previous owners of this house.
The shape of the old extension seemed to have a missing corner. By building this corner and making a feature of it we are creating a generous new kitchen & dining area while increasing the total floor area by only 4 square meters.
This minor addition is a light-filled space via 4 windows in key locations creating unique conditions in every direction while offering optimum daylight and generous views.
The first window faces the back garden and is fitted with a triangular bench reaching into the garden beyond the envelope of the extension; this was the missing corner. The second one is a south-facing clerestory window at high level capturing daylight throughout the day. The third window offers long views of the terrace showcasing the effortlessly generous Victorian roofs of nearby homes. The fourth window is in an inward facing position, it is designed as a calm workspace looking at the courtyard that seprates the original house from this new extension.
The volume is being built in a light-coloured brick and is defined by a simple but expressive steel structure that will be partly visible from the inside. Exposing the structure also reveals our way of thinking about honesty in methods of construction.
This project retains the existing shape and foundations of a rear extension with an overly prescriptive layout built by the previous owners of this house.
The shape of the old extension seemed to have a missing corner. By building this corner and making a feature of it we are creating a generous new kitchen & dining area while increasing the total floor area by only 4 square meters.
This minor addition is a light-filled space via 4 windows in key locations creating unique conditions in every direction while offering optimum daylight and generous views.
The first window faces the back garden and is fitted with a triangular bench reaching into the garden beyond the envelope of the extension; this was the missing corner. The second one is a south-facing clerestory window at high level capturing daylight throughout the day. The third window offers long views of the terrace showcasing the effortlessly generous Victorian roofs of nearby homes. The fourth window is in an inward facing position, it is designed as a calm workspace looking at the courtyard that seprates the original house from this new extension.
The volume is being built in a light-coloured brick and is defined by a simple but expressive steel structure that will be partly visible from the inside. Exposing the structure also reveals our way of thinking about honesty in methods of construction.