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Project Name: Clapham House

Location: Clapham, London

Interior Designer: Kaap Studio Architects

Architect: Kaap Studio Architects

Construction Company: Green Sheen Construction

The Clapham House project consists of a contemporary two storey glass addition to a Victorian double-fronted detached house. The proposed extension completely changes the dynamic and use of the upper ground floor.

The previous cellular plan no longer worked for the family, with a cramped dining room, small kitchen and breakfast space and poor connection to the extensive rear garden. An old conservatory hanging from the rear façade was blocking views to the original rear elevation of the property while providing inefficient living space. There was also a self-contained flat at the lower ground level of the property which needed additional living space for the enjoyment of the family.

The brief for Kaap Studio Architects was to open up the upper ground floor and provide space for the family to enjoy and entertain. It was crucial to maintain the feel of the existing balcony whilst also eliminating the level difference on the upper ground floor level. This level could then be connected with the garden while providing extra space for living quarters for potential future use. To maximise the space, key dividing walls were removed. This added light, a sense of space and continuity and created a view, from the front door through to the garden.

Views were a key consideration for Kaap Studio Architects – from the front door to the garden, from the family area and kitchen to the garden, from the lower level living quarters to the garden. Bringing light into the heart of the home lead to the use of large glass doors and extensive rooflights – while the use of glass balustrades behind the glass doors preserved the feel of a balcony when doors are fully open.

Along the entrance hallway and in the heart of the house, cleverly designed doors conceal ample storage, a food store and a cloakroom. A simple material palette of timber, metal and glass was chosen to sit alongside the original London stock brickwork, cornicing and marble fireplaces, so that the new additions felt more like an extension of its Victorian heritage.