Renovating
5 Projects that Show it’s Worth Thinking, ‘Don’t Move, Improve!’
Tour some of the inspiring home renovations by professionals on Houzz shortlisted for the Don’t Move, Improve! awards
If you’ve been thinking about moving to find a better home, pause for a moment. Could your current place be improved? The 2022 Don’t Move, Improve! awards showcase just that notion, with homes that have been cleverly reworked to offer their owners everything from a lofty kitchen-diner that chimes with the nearby forest to a space-maximising sleeping pod.
The annual awards, organised by New London Architecture (NLA), are all about “encouraging great design in everyday life” and celebrate innovative residential renovation projects across the capital. The judges are looking for both liveability and creativity, and our pick of five from the 15-strong shortlist illustrates the variety of ways pros on Houzz have risen to the challenge.
The annual awards, organised by New London Architecture (NLA), are all about “encouraging great design in everyday life” and celebrate innovative residential renovation projects across the capital. The judges are looking for both liveability and creativity, and our pick of five from the 15-strong shortlist illustrates the variety of ways pros on Houzz have risen to the challenge.
The oak ribs continue inside to provide structure for the glazed roof, then flow down the walls to create shelves that sit beyond the reach of small hands.
Benjamin says warm, tactile materials, such as clay render, oak and terrazzo, were chosen “both for their sustainable credentials and their ability to weather beautifully”. The colours are muted tones of those within the original house and bring a gentle warmth to the kitchen-diner.
Benjamin says warm, tactile materials, such as clay render, oak and terrazzo, were chosen “both for their sustainable credentials and their ability to weather beautifully”. The colours are muted tones of those within the original house and bring a gentle warmth to the kitchen-diner.
An oak window seat inside is mirrored by a bench outside, which, Benjamin says, forms “a contemplative spot in winter and a social link in summer”.
See more photos of this unique extension.
See more photos of this unique extension.
A second ‘storey’ frees up space in a tiny flat
Shoji Apartment, Camden, by Proctor & Shaw
When you only have 29 sq m to play with, every centimetre counts. Luckily, with a ceiling height of 3.4m, there was plenty of vertical space in this Victorian flat, and the team at Proctor & Shaw made the most of it with a clever bedroom pod.
The translucent, sliding, shoji-screen-inspired walls not only create a cocooning retreat, they help the structure to sit lightly in the space and allow it to act as a lantern for the rest of the room.
At the top is a bedroom with a king-size bed, accessed via space-saving loft stairs tucked neatly within the structure.
Shoji Apartment, Camden, by Proctor & Shaw
When you only have 29 sq m to play with, every centimetre counts. Luckily, with a ceiling height of 3.4m, there was plenty of vertical space in this Victorian flat, and the team at Proctor & Shaw made the most of it with a clever bedroom pod.
The translucent, sliding, shoji-screen-inspired walls not only create a cocooning retreat, they help the structure to sit lightly in the space and allow it to act as a lantern for the rest of the room.
At the top is a bedroom with a king-size bed, accessed via space-saving loft stairs tucked neatly within the structure.
Below the bed and opposite the stairs is a generous bank of wardrobes. The entrance to the flat is seen here to the left of the dressing area.
Tucking the bedroom into a small footprint has left room for a spacious kitchen-diner, which maintains the simple, soothing palette. The door to the right leads to the bathroom.
The idea is that this prototype design could be applied to other period properties, where rooms typically have a small footprint but a high ceiling.
As Proctor & Shaw say, “This project shows that design quality need not be compromised when addressing the issues of limited space and poorly performing existing fabric.”
The idea is that this prototype design could be applied to other period properties, where rooms typically have a small footprint but a high ceiling.
As Proctor & Shaw say, “This project shows that design quality need not be compromised when addressing the issues of limited space and poorly performing existing fabric.”
A complete house refurb celebrates raw materials
Pink House, North Kensington, by Oliver Leech Architects
One of the most striking things about this complete renovation of a Victorian terrace is the beautiful use of raw materials – something the owners were very keen on. Douglas fir, polished concrete and raw plaster create a warm environment that’s designed to age gracefully.
The family also wanted a space where they could entertain. Side and rear extensions have created room for a bright new kitchen-diner, with garden views through the extensive glazing.
The team also extended into the loft and basement.
Pink House, North Kensington, by Oliver Leech Architects
One of the most striking things about this complete renovation of a Victorian terrace is the beautiful use of raw materials – something the owners were very keen on. Douglas fir, polished concrete and raw plaster create a warm environment that’s designed to age gracefully.
The family also wanted a space where they could entertain. Side and rear extensions have created room for a bright new kitchen-diner, with garden views through the extensive glazing.
The team also extended into the loft and basement.
Leaving the house end of the side return open has created a little courtyard, which both pulls light into the centre of the space and further strengthens the indoor-outdoor connection.
The stepped extension ensures light flows in from numerous angles, and has created space for a leafy little courtyard-style garden outside the dining area to partner the one on the other side (see previous photo).
Find the perfect person to help you transform your own home in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Find the perfect person to help you transform your own home in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
A lofty space and natural materials connect to woodland
Forest House, Waltham Forest, by AOC Architecture
The family of five who own this semi-detached Victorian house wanted to retain the cosiness of their existing home, but add a light, airy extension that chimed with their love of being in nearby Epping Forest.
AOC Architecture added a single-storey rear and a triple-storey side extension, but cleverly connected the spaces, so the kitchen in the rear can benefit from a soaring ceiling and sense of openness.
Forest House, Waltham Forest, by AOC Architecture
The family of five who own this semi-detached Victorian house wanted to retain the cosiness of their existing home, but add a light, airy extension that chimed with their love of being in nearby Epping Forest.
AOC Architecture added a single-storey rear and a triple-storey side extension, but cleverly connected the spaces, so the kitchen in the rear can benefit from a soaring ceiling and sense of openness.
On the first floor of the side extension is a home office (behind the camera in this shot), which both overlooks the dining area and has long views to the trees beyond.
Big windows and skylights afford views from different sides and bring in masses of light, boosting the sense of space.
Above the mezzanine office is an attic room.
Big windows and skylights afford views from different sides and bring in masses of light, boosting the sense of space.
Above the mezzanine office is an attic room.
The rear of the house is clad in woven hazel, bringing a sense of the forest right up to the house.
A small extension makes a huge difference
Transitions, Lewisham, by Red Squirrel Architects
Having a connection to the outdoors is increasingly important for many homeowners, and the family who live in this two-storey Victorian semi were no exception.
“Our clients’ aspirations were to create open and light, interconnected living spaces to the rear of the house that take advantage of the garden,” Red Squirrel Architects say of their design.
A metal pergola, already half entwined with a shady vine, links inside and out and helps to unify the two sides of the extension. As the architects say, “The project celebrates the notion of transitions: from old to new; from inside to outside; from the natural to the manmade.”
Transitions, Lewisham, by Red Squirrel Architects
Having a connection to the outdoors is increasingly important for many homeowners, and the family who live in this two-storey Victorian semi were no exception.
“Our clients’ aspirations were to create open and light, interconnected living spaces to the rear of the house that take advantage of the garden,” Red Squirrel Architects say of their design.
A metal pergola, already half entwined with a shady vine, links inside and out and helps to unify the two sides of the extension. As the architects say, “The project celebrates the notion of transitions: from old to new; from inside to outside; from the natural to the manmade.”
By adding just 10 sq m of additional floor space and redesigning the terrace, the architects have created a wonderful indoor-outdoor living space. The sunken seating area is mirrored by a sunken seating spot in the garden, seen through huge sliding windows.
The roomy kitchen-diner is on a level with the terrace, and accessed though full-height sliding doors for maximum connection. Plenty of houseplants help to emphasise the indoor-outdoor mood.
The category finalists and overall winner of the 2022 Don’t Move, Improve! awards will be announced in May.
Tell us…
Which of these project most inspires you? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
The category finalists and overall winner of the 2022 Don’t Move, Improve! awards will be announced in May.
Tell us…
Which of these project most inspires you? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Pergola House, Lewisham, by Benjamin Wilkes
The owners of this Victorian house wanted a single-storey rear and side extension for their growing young family. So far, so standard. But architect Benjamin Wilkes has created a beautiful, flowing space enhanced by a striking pergola.
Oak ribs follow the pitched roof of the addition, extending into the garden to provide both privacy and shade for the family.
Bricks from the existing external wall were salvaged and reused, and Benjamin has created subtle pattern by laying them in different bonds on the rear wall.