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7 Homes to Visit During the Open House London Weekend
Take a tour around some of these design projects by professionals on Houzz at Open House London on 21 and 22 September
Amanda Pollard
14 September 2019
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
Open House London offers visitors a chance to look around some of the most ingeniously designed homes in the capital. To help you plan your weekend, we’ve picked out a selection of brilliant projects designed by professionals on Houzz.
13 Alwyne Place, Islington
The original post-war house that existed on this site in Islington didn’t blend in well with its neighbours. On top of that, it was thermally inefficient and dilapidated. The team at Mitzman Architects were tasked with building a new home that sat sympathetically within the conservation area.
The beautiful, light-filled courtyard house was sustainably built off-site (the walls and roof were assembled on-site in 14 days) with plenty of clever features that maximise thermal efficiency.
See more of 13 Alwyne Place.
The original post-war house that existed on this site in Islington didn’t blend in well with its neighbours. On top of that, it was thermally inefficient and dilapidated. The team at Mitzman Architects were tasked with building a new home that sat sympathetically within the conservation area.
The beautiful, light-filled courtyard house was sustainably built off-site (the walls and roof were assembled on-site in 14 days) with plenty of clever features that maximise thermal efficiency.
See more of 13 Alwyne Place.
2 Ferndale, Bromley
The main aim for the owners of this south London property was to create an inviting, sustainable family home with a connection to the garden.
Conibere Phillips Architects created a new inside space with a utility area, homework nook, barbecue terrace, window seat for reading, and even a new space for the xBox. Timber and larch cladding blend with the outside space – and from the inside, the family can enjoy views of the plants and trees in their garden.
Take a closer look at 2 Ferndale.
The main aim for the owners of this south London property was to create an inviting, sustainable family home with a connection to the garden.
Conibere Phillips Architects created a new inside space with a utility area, homework nook, barbecue terrace, window seat for reading, and even a new space for the xBox. Timber and larch cladding blend with the outside space – and from the inside, the family can enjoy views of the plants and trees in their garden.
Take a closer look at 2 Ferndale.
The Binary House, Bethnal Green
Among a row of unassuming properties in Bethnal Green, one house has been totally transformed by the team at Space Group Architects. At the front is an extension that looks like part of the original building, apart from the protruding bricks, which cast shadows along the exterior wall.
The front addition is separated from the house by a ribbon of glass, which brings plenty of light into the home. At the back, the team have replaced an old conservatory with a glazed extension, and the rest of the ground floor has been redesigned as an open-plan space.
If you need ideas for bringing in light and adding character to a new-build home, this is the one to visit.
Take a closer look inside the Binary House.
Among a row of unassuming properties in Bethnal Green, one house has been totally transformed by the team at Space Group Architects. At the front is an extension that looks like part of the original building, apart from the protruding bricks, which cast shadows along the exterior wall.
The front addition is separated from the house by a ribbon of glass, which brings plenty of light into the home. At the back, the team have replaced an old conservatory with a glazed extension, and the rest of the ground floor has been redesigned as an open-plan space.
If you need ideas for bringing in light and adding character to a new-build home, this is the one to visit.
Take a closer look inside the Binary House.
The Link Building, Herne Hill
Sometimes, the key to creating more space is to look beyond the usual rear or side extension. That’s just what the architects at Powell Tuck Associates have done to add extra room to this house in south London.
An unused gap of 12 sq m between the house and an adjacent garage has been filled in to increase the home’s interior area.
In fact, the new configuration has added 40 sq m of internal space. By linking the two buildings, the team were also able to change the layout of the home and use the space more effectively.
See more of the Link Building.
Sometimes, the key to creating more space is to look beyond the usual rear or side extension. That’s just what the architects at Powell Tuck Associates have done to add extra room to this house in south London.
An unused gap of 12 sq m between the house and an adjacent garage has been filled in to increase the home’s interior area.
In fact, the new configuration has added 40 sq m of internal space. By linking the two buildings, the team were also able to change the layout of the home and use the space more effectively.
See more of the Link Building.
Gap House, Bayswater
While the Link Building architects made use of a gap to construct an extension, the team behind this project used the space between two existing properties to create an entire house.
Pitman Tozer Architects slotted a four-storey family home into a space with a 2.5m opening at the front. The new house feels spacious and comfortable, and the team have used a number of eco-friendly techniques to make it energy-efficient and sustainable.
See additional photos of Gap House.
While the Link Building architects made use of a gap to construct an extension, the team behind this project used the space between two existing properties to create an entire house.
Pitman Tozer Architects slotted a four-storey family home into a space with a 2.5m opening at the front. The new house feels spacious and comfortable, and the team have used a number of eco-friendly techniques to make it energy-efficient and sustainable.
See additional photos of Gap House.
Pitched Black, Lewisham
When many of us come across a builder’s yard, we see an uninhabitable site. But for Gruff Architects’ founder Rhys Cannon, this awkward plot next to a railway line was the perfect spot to build a four-bedroom family home.
Clever use of angles and glazing enabled the team to tuck the timber-clad building into the tight area without impinging on the neighbours’ back gardens. The windows look out to the tree-lined railway cutting and an uninterrupted view of green space.
View more images of Pitched Black.
When many of us come across a builder’s yard, we see an uninhabitable site. But for Gruff Architects’ founder Rhys Cannon, this awkward plot next to a railway line was the perfect spot to build a four-bedroom family home.
Clever use of angles and glazing enabled the team to tuck the timber-clad building into the tight area without impinging on the neighbours’ back gardens. The windows look out to the tree-lined railway cutting and an uninterrupted view of green space.
View more images of Pitched Black.
163 Herne Hill Road, Herne Hill
When Colin Macinnes knocked down the old conservatory at the back of this Edwardian house, he replaced it with something radically different. The new construction adjoins the original house, but a full-length strip of roof glazing creates a separation.
While the old conservatory was too cold in winter and too hot in summer, its replacement is well-insulated and has plenty of shade. It can be used as a living or dining room, but was designed for the present owners as a gallery space.
Take a look at more images of 163 Herne Hill Road.
Find out more about Open House London 2019.
Tell us…
Will you be visiting any of these projects at Open House London? Do you have any tips for visitors? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
When Colin Macinnes knocked down the old conservatory at the back of this Edwardian house, he replaced it with something radically different. The new construction adjoins the original house, but a full-length strip of roof glazing creates a separation.
While the old conservatory was too cold in winter and too hot in summer, its replacement is well-insulated and has plenty of shade. It can be used as a living or dining room, but was designed for the present owners as a gallery space.
Take a look at more images of 163 Herne Hill Road.
Find out more about Open House London 2019.
Tell us…
Will you be visiting any of these projects at Open House London? Do you have any tips for visitors? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
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