E + H wanted to open up their kitchen and dining space to the garden and maximise light whilst minimising the changes to their existing façade. As the existing narrow galley kitchen had little natural light,the aim was to create a subtle intervention that would enhance their way of living. We proposed a modest side extension as well as an opening in the rear façade which allows for a widening of the plan and for a new space to be created which could be used in multiple ways. The main element of this project was to introduce a window nook which acts as a reading space, a seating area around the breakfast table and as storage for the two children’s activities. The brief included a subterranean wine cellar which required significant excavation works and the pouring of over three tonnes of cement.

We designed the space with a restrained palette of materials in mind, echoing the relaxed feeling of the garden, using highly skilled joiners to create feature pieces and using a subtle terrazzo for the continuous backsplash to provide a playful element to the kitchen. Externally, the facade respects what is already there, a context of inter-war Art Deco housing typically finished in white render.

LOCATION: Denmark Hill, London

BUDGET: <100K

STATUS: Completed 2020

TEAM: John Walsh Contractor / Design ID Structural and Civils Engineers / SCJ Joinery / Plykea Kitchen / Emanuelis Photography

PRESS: RIBA Book “House goals” / Dwell magazine / Enki Magazine / Archello / Not a paper house / My house Idea