Approach
Synonymous with Victorian terrace houses, the original layout featured generous living spaces at the front, but a fragmented series of small rooms at the rear with limited connection to the outdoors. Counterintuitively, the new design introduces a galleried, double-height vaulted space at the back, illuminated from above and the side. This intervention brings both light and clarity to the plan, creating a private guest bedroom, en-suite, and study above a sociable kitchen and dining area. At the front, the entrance space now links the two reception rooms with a new cloakroom, utility area, and storage, along with an improved rear access point.
Design
A key strategy in unlocking the layout was minimising linear circulation. By positioning the new top-lit entry space across the rear addition, movement between areas becomes more fluid and less defined. Existing openings were simplified or enlarged to enhance visual connections to the outdoors and create a more cohesive interior. Elevated ceiling heights and the reduction of stepped floor levels further improved accessibility and spatial flow, both inside and out.
Interior design
The interiors manifest partly from the external architecture and connected nature of the internal rooms. A modernity balances tonal finishes with neutral timbers to add a sense of calm and delight. The resulting interiors developed by the client, incorporate individual artifacts and fittings inviting a relaxed living experience.
