Clapham House in London by MW Architects

Article source: MW Architects

This is a dramatic transformation of a small, semi-detached Victorian house. Despite being arranged over three floors, it was so shallow in depth that the proportions were cottage like.

We dropped the floor at lower ground level, and excavated a substantial portion of the garden to make space for a two-storey extension made predominantly in glass. The existing rear wall was flattened off and rebuilt in traditional London stock brick, in contrast with the contemporary glazing.

Image Courtesy © French + Tye

• Architects: MW Architects
• Project: Clapham House
• Location: Clapham, London
• Photography: French + Tye
• Lead Architects: Matthew Wood & Melissa Robinson
• Gross Built Area (square meters or square foot): 175sqm
• Completion Year: 2015
• Other participants: (eg. collaborators, clients, consultants, etc): Richard Tant Associates (structural engineer), KJV contractors,
• List of materials and brands:
  • 1. Raynaers CP 130 Lift and Slide In line Doors – RAL 7016
  • 2. Mandarin Stone – Classic Nero Riven Slate Tiles
  • 3. BTC Original Lights – Hector Medium wall lights and Drop One Large Pendants

Image Courtesy © French + Tye

Internally, we opened up the space on all three levels to create generously proportioned rooms behind a traditional facade.

The first floor, formerly three poky rooms, is dedicated to the master suite. We removed the ceiling, exposing the pitched roof, which was restructured to remove any visible trusses. The double-height space has a contemporary feel within a traditional envelope, complete with three timber sash windows.

Image Courtesy © French + Tye

Image Courtesy © French + Tye

On the ground floor there is a guest room and bathroom and a reception room/study which overlooks the double height void. A huge frameless glass corner window gives open views of the garden.A small upper terrace is accessible from the study. A  new steel staircase connects this level with the open-plan living area below. Light pours in to this room from the double height void and, being below ground, privacy is maintained without a loss of splendour.

Image Courtesy © French + Tye

Image Courtesy © French + Tye

A large sliding door leads onto the lower terrace and external stairs go back up to garden level.

The result is a house that feels very open but is actually composed of many separate spaces, internal and external, arranged around the double height void. This creates a balance between sociable space without being traditionally open plan so private activities can coexist while maintaining connection.

Image Courtesy © French + Tye

Image Courtesy © French + Tye

Image Courtesy © French + Tye

Image Courtesy © French + Tye

Image Courtesy © French + Tye

Image Courtesy © MW Architects

Image Courtesy © MW Architects

Image Courtesy © MW Architects

Image Courtesy © MW Architects

Tags: Clapham, London

Categories: House, Residential

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