The property is a Victorian mid-terrace home located in Clapton, within the Northwold & Cazenove Conservation Area.

The client’s initial objective was to extend into the side-return, in order to create a connected kitchen & dining space. After early analysis it became clear that additional space wasn't necessarily required, and that better configuration and connection of the existing spaces would most likely fulfil the brief - together with substantially updating everything. With a modest budget, a lot of other works on the wish list, along with rapidly increasing prices - not extending and instead focussing on reconfiguring and reconnecting the existing spaces, was agreed to be the optimum strategy.

Due to the wider than normal proportions of the house, a fairly substantial overlap already existed between the rear projection (housing a formal reception room) and the less formal kitchen to the rear reception; this meant that simply opening-up the structural masonry wall separating these 2 spaces would allow us to connect the kitchen and dining spaces, in a similar way to that which a side-infill extension would otherwise allow.

The slightly atypical split level of the property meant that there was a very low ceilinged front basement room, as such fairly extensive remedial work was required to better connect this space with the kitchen hub, and turn it into a desirable family room. A new utility & shower room was also accommodated, together with extensive upgrade of the heating system, including new boiler & cylinder, better serving the whole house.

Our typical palette of materials and standard products are used throughout but are also complemented with some additional bespoke elements including: HØLTE kitchen fronts & bespoke joinery, Fabco Sanctuary steel framed patio doors and Diespeker & Co. terrazzo worktops.

Team:

Architect: ARCHEA

Building Control: Assent South East

Engineer: Walder|Sharp

Contractor: London Dream Building