A simple tonal palette of pale brick, clay pavers and bespoke plywood cabinetry.

Project Brief

The aim of the project was to create a light filled family kitchen/ living space with a direct dialogue with the garden. Previously the rear of the house was dark and disjointed and lacking in storage. Access to the garden was convoluted and a leaky fabric meant the house was constantly cold. 
As an architect designing my own home extension, with a fixed budget, I wanted to create something simple, but carefully crafted, with a key attention to detail.

Materials

A limited palette of materials has been carefully chosen to work tonally together with punctuations of colour in the fittings. The aluminium sliding doors and windows have a delicate beige colour that blends with the pale Weinerberger brickwork. The brick is continued inside the extension so that many of the materials are self finished. 
The roof is clad in Pigmento Red zinc which is picked up in the soft red clay pavers. The soft earthy tones are offset with a bright green kitchen linking to the garden beyond.

Light and Form

The form of the extension is driven by the site constraints and being mindful of both the neighbours and the light. The roof is pitched towards the edge of the existing outrigger and is expressed internally with a vaulted ceiling to the rear. This gives a wonderful volume to the dining area with a rooflight perfectly framing the neighbouring bamboo and sky. 
The ceiling remains flat to the side return. This results in a deep shaft of light created by the opening rooflight on this side. 
The extension is kept separate from the main house by the creation of a small courtyard lightwell. This brings light to the centre of the plan on both sides and simplifies the plumbing, allowing the original house to breathe.

Well-being

This extension project has demonstrably changed the way we use the property. The connection to the garden, the built-in storage and the quality of the light have created a calm, measured space which all improve our well-being and above all make the family happy.

Photos © Fred Howarth Photography