Victorian House, London
Contemporary extension & alterations which solve a common problem of Victorian terraced homes.
The outbuildings at the rear of Victorian terraces often create an area of ‘dead space’ externally, between the house & boundary. In this particular case, the space was an under used north-facing terrace which received little natural light. The design brings this space back to life.
A new extension provides an enlarged kitchen & dining area at ground floor whilst also improving the visual connection between the house & garden.
An existing boundary wall was re-built & insulated. This supports both the neighbours existing outbuilding & the roof of the new extension. A robust & hidden gutter above the wall was designed to be both wide & strong enough for access to clean the new glazed roof.
Externally, the pitch of the new extension roof matches the existing. The use of glazing with black frames for all new elements, provides a clear contrast between old & new.
Inside, a new ‘picture window’ with a built-in seat frames a view to the garden whilst providing a ‘nook’ to relax in.
By strategically removing sections of existing wall & carefully positioning new openings, a more open & flexible kitchen & dining area was created whilst also establishing a new view to the garden from the existing living room.
Concealed from view within bespoke cabinets are the existing boiler, down & soil pipes. This removed the need for costly relocations. These cabinets also house a fridge, freezer & larder so that a single, uninterrupted worktop spanning the full length of the new kitchen could be achieved.
Materials were chosen for their character and robustness.
A new exposed brick wall extends out to the west-facing garden, drawing the eye to new planting beyond. Painted timber beams sit on top of this supporting a new double-glazed roof from which bespoke lighting is hung. The new roof draws natural light deep into the extension & existing house.
Polished concrete is used throughout the new space for both the floor & steps which navigate a change in level between new & existing. This floor extends out from the new extension to form an external terrace, creating the sense of an extended dining room. Polished concrete is also used to form a bespoke worktop which runs the full length of the kitchen.
Stainless steel fronted cabinets with a matching sink & oven provide a contrast to this.
For & on behalf of Michel Schranz Design & Architecture.
Photography by Nick Guttridge.