This project is a radical remodelling of a house in a conservation area for a young family. The design adds a new basement and a rear extension, which provides expanded living and kitchen space, sky lit sun-filled bathrooms, a home cinema, playroom and guest bedroom. We sought to create an innovative design – rethinking the basement typology in a contemporary way.

The ambitions for the project were high in terms of achieving open plan, visually connected spaces to allow for a greater sense of communication between the different rooms. The key strategy was also the connection to nature through views and natural light.
The conceptual approach was to create a calm atmospheric interior using carved out spaces that allow the pared down use of materials to have a monolithic feel.

The new basement area is lit by large skylights cut into the floors above. All levels are opened out to allow the existing rooms of the Victorian house to give way to an open plan interior on the ground floor and tall loft like spaces upstairs. The kitchen and living rooms open out to a south-west facing patio, creating a strong connection of house and garden.

The new extension to the rear links into the old brickwork through a curved wall suspended above the ground above a completely glazed set of folding doors. The bathrooms are top lit by generous skylights linking bathing spaces to the sky above. The existing ceilings were removed upstairs creating tall vertical spaces with curved ceilings.

Going into the project we had a clear idea of the look that we were wanting to achieve. In our first meeting with Neil it was immediately clear that he totally understood our aesthetic and he had many inspiring ideas that would ultimately enhance and realise the design.

Neil was key to driving this project forward; he was extremely helpful and proactive during the tender process, always available to advise when required and understanding in terms of our priorities. During the build he was in constant touch with us and the builder, overseeing and checking the work, ensuring deadlines were met and workmanship was to the highest standard.

Our project was complex; the house being in a conservation area, and with many local sensitivities. Neil handled all issues with a degree of professionalism and empathy, which certainly made the project move forward as smoothly as possible.

Neil is without question one of the most thorough, dedicated, passionate and approachable people we have worked with. He is an ultimate professional and we would be delighted to collaborate with him again. The house turned out to be more beautiful than we could ever have expected and it makes us proud that this was such a collaborative process.

Thank you Neil! Niels and Erica

Winner – AJ Retrofit Awards [Best Extension over £500,000]
Shortlisted – NLA Awards Don’t Move Improve 2016

Structural Engineer
Fluid Structures

Main Contractor
TBS

Landscape Design
Stefano Marinaz Landscape Architecture

Photography
Tim Crocker and Agnese Sanvito