This project began as they often do, with conversations about practical requirements - maximising the built area on the site without compromising the external spaces; bringing natural light inside, storage requirements, wine collections.
The existing rear spaces - kitchen, living and dining were on split levels, stepping down gradually towards the back. The individual spaces were quite segregated, making particularly the rooms in the middle of the house dark and uninviting. We decided to consolidate the split levels and open it right up to allow natural light from the rear to enter the building as deeply as possible. The long, narrow volume we created with this move demanded a focal point. A combined island bench & dining table in the centre of the room provides a functional kitchen and a heart for the home.
The backs of terrace houses are interesting for their plainness when compared to the ornate formality of the front facades. In designing the rear of our extension, we wanted to capture some of the character of the original Victorian back building. The plain and recessive west facing brick façade of our extension contains traces of the original back of house buildings but at closer inspection is highly detailed and crafted.
