The Perforated Steel Extension
This project inverts the typical side-return extension typology. By extending only to the rear of an end of terrace Victorian house, the side-return space becomes an external courtyard which acts as the focal point of the entire ground floor.
This project started from a Don’t Move, Improve consultation in 2017. Here, Natasja and Grant arrived with two young children, looking for more living space, without any fully formed ideas as to what this might be. Initial design exercises highlighted the courtyard option as a strong proposal. A tall flank wall to the north meant that overlooking was not an issue. The path of the sun also meant that the existing side-return space was the sunniest in the house for most of the year, benefiting from south-westerly sun, otherwise obscured to the rear garden due to the tall boundary walls. It made perfect sense to extend into the rear garden and retain the side-return as a courtyard suntrap.
The huge amount of height in the back half of the existing house was put to good use with an extensive plywood bookshelf on the north flank, with cupboards below to store toys for the children. The slim white structure of the extension was referenced in the design of the balustrades and new curved steps leading down from the formal living space at the front of the house.
The kitchen roof was designed predominantly around the concept of allowing existing views of the trees and direct sunlight through into this courtyard. Large plywood fins provide both structural support and a softening and reflecting of the light within the kitchen space. Although the roof of the kitchen is almost entirely fully glazed, the plywood feels both warm and massive, adding a comforting weight to what is otherwise a lightweight insertion.
The extension is entirely timber framed, constructed using prefabricated panels slotted together inside the existing brickwork boundary walls. This light touch approach had great environmental and cost benefits. The composition of the main courtyard elevation of the extension continued the sense of the lightweight and is inspired by minimalist Japanese architecture – also beloved of the clients, one of whom was Dutch and the other half Japanese.
Full height sliding glass doors to two sides of the courtyard were essential to provide fluidity in the flow and usability of the space, with a sliding window at worktop level in the kitchen providing a servery to the outside.
Additional work throughout the house included a refit of the master en-suite bathroom, wc, and family bathroom on the top floor. The master en-suite incorporated a deep Japanese soaking tub, and white oiled oak joinery which continued the language established on the ground floor.
Side return extension layout