Warminster Road

+ South Norwood

This is a wonderfully characterful Victorian villa, which suffers from a common issue. The front of the property is glorious, however, in design terms, the existing rear is mean and neglected. With little to no relationship between the home and its large mature garden.

Our clients approached us looking to reinvigorate this newly acquired home, bringing it into the 21st century fit for them as a family with two incredibly energetic sons.

The house boasts a split plan configuration of some 7 levels. Using this as part of our inspiration, we looked to open up the rear of the property with multiple levels. In tandem, we sought to enliven the existing plan and utilise forgotten spaces. This allowed us to create new areas within the existing footprint across all levels, to meet a modern family’s needs. Connecting existing rooms to form suites and rearranging storage and bathroom accommodation simplified the home. Bringing unexpected options to our client’s attention.

The rear extended space incorporates our staple design cues, introducing swathes of natural light, high ceilings and direct connections to the garden. Large format sliding doors frame views of the mature garden. Whilst from outside, the form of the proposals was conceived to frame the internal environment. The entire rear accommodation is focused towards family space and entertaining. With Kitchen and Dining spaces are linked at the same level as the garden, with the adjacent day lounge set at a higher level, suspended in the air and projecting into the garden.

Materials

Our material palette was kept simple. Employing both larch timber and stainless steel. The steel emphasises the framing offered to each box form, whilst the angled timber returns create focal points.

Style

The new addition is overtly contemporary. With a language that stretches from the ground floor to the roof to maintain a consistent design aesthetic across the development. This has been interlaced with the existing building, by reclaiming brick from demolished elements and reusing this to redefine the rear elevation. New angled brick window reveals continue to mix both old & new palettes to deliver a highly considered and detailed scheme.

Throughout the project and build, we were enthused by the trust placed in us by our clients. This afforded delightful freedom during the design phase. This has resulted in a strikingly bold solution, we are all incredibly proud of.

Further Inspiration

See our Triple Oak project or check out our Instagram feed.