Room Group Architects has renovated a 19th-century home in east London, adding details inspired by Minimalist artists and a sunken glass-walled extension .
London-based Room Group Architects was limited to the alterations it could make to the present exterior of the Grade II-listed property.
“This specific property is assumed to have been developed in the 1830s,” stated architect Martin Gruenanger. “It was for these causes that only a modest and elegant expansion of this property was acceptable from a conservation level of view.”
Photograph by Martin Gruenanger
Hoping to brighten up the basement level, Space Group added a glass box-like extension to the rear of the residence.
“The aim was to maximise the organic daylight in the otherwise very dark room,” Gruenanger told Dezeen.
“There was something extremely attractive in generating a glass box that sits underground – we like to consider we have managed to blur the boundaries between the inside and outdoors effectively.”
Prior to the renovation, the kitchen was situated on the reduced-ground floor – but was described by Gruenanger as a damp and cold room.
Connected story: Scenario Architecture lowers a ceiling to create a sunken roof terrace for a London home
“The decrease-ground floor already contained the kitchen but the space was run down, dark, damp and, crucially, extremely cold,” Gruenanger said. “I remember the first meeting during the winter the place I regretted possessing taken off my shoes at the entrance on the ground floor and determined to leave my coat on to compensate.”
Photograph by Martin Gruenanger
“As the design progressed into spring it turned out that even in the course of the warmer months the floor remained remarkably unpleasant,” he added.
“We have corrected that with a fully new, properly insulated floor develop-up, which also needed us to underpin the current walls.”
A copper box inspired by Minimalist artist Donald Judd types an island in the middle of the kitchen, while Dan Flavin’s light installations informed the cool fluorescent fixtures that illuminate the dining region.
Exposed brickwork stands alongside both white painted and clay-render walls, whilst big grey tiles cover the floor. A hollowed-out fireplace has been repurposed with the addition of a wooden shelf.
A mansard roof extension – normally manufactured up of four sloping sides, each of which becomes steeper halfway down – was added to develop an additional level that houses the master bedroom.
Photograph by Martin Gruenanger
All through this upper floor, the two brickwork and the authentic roof framework are left exposed, deliberately contrasting with the modern furnishings and supplies.
“The new roof structure has been left exposed in order to blur the boundaries among the new and the identified space,” additional Gruenanger.
Photograph by Martin Gruenanger
Underfloor heating was installed for an en-suite bathroom that is accessed through a sliding wooden display.
Extensions proceed to be a popular way of updating period properties in London. Bureau de Adjust Architects not too long ago additional a pleated ceiling to a house in the north of the capital, and Scenario Architecture lowered the ceiling of a loved ones residence to develop a sunken roof terrace.
Photography is by Luca Piffaretti unless otherwise stated.
Task credits:
Architecture and interior style: Area Group Architects
Structural engineers: Fluid Structures
Contractor: DMV Dinus SRL
Lower ground floor prepare 
Roof extension plan 
Section 1 
Segment two Dezeen
