Warminster Road

A wonderful Victorian villa home, full of character that suffered from a common ill. Where the front of the property is glorious, however, the rear in design terms was mean and neglected, with small windows and limited access to a large mature garden.

Our clients approached us looking to reinvigorate this newly acquired home, bringing it into the 21st Century, fit for their family, including 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 complimenting level changes. In tandem we sought to enliven the existing plan and utilise forgotten spaces, to create new areas within the existing footprint across all levels. Connecting existing rooms to form suites and rearranging storage and bathroom accommodation simplified the plan, 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 conversely from outside, the form was conceived to frame the internal environment. The entire rear accommodation is geared towards family space and entertaining, with Kitchen and Dining spaces linked at a level to the garden, whilst an adjacent day lounge is found at a higher level suspended in the air and projecting over planting.

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 within, providing further focus from outside to in and visa versa.

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 window reveals with accented angled brick reveals mix both old & new palettes.

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.