House in East London, 2015–18
One of a pair of 18th century cottages, at one time situated within a rural landscape at the edge of east London, the surrounding area was developed in the late 19th and early 20th century, and the cottages now form part of a suburban street.
We were asked to reconfigure the existing house, to improve the relationship to the garden; adding a new study and remodelled kitchen at ground floor, and a bedroom and bathroom at first floor.
The kitchen leads to the study, with full-width glass doors facing the garden and a projecting bay providing a view back to the dining room across a courtyard. The new first floor bedroom has a small loggia that overlooks the garden whilst retaining privacy.
A simple palette of exposed brick, plaster and linoleum is used internally. The new rooms are clad externally with black-stained timber boarding; a reference to the tarred weatherboarding once prevalent in rural Essex, and a bi-product of the 19th century industrialisation of the area.
Ground floor plan
First floor plan
Section through house and garden
Ground floor plan
First floor plan
Section through house and garden