Architects: Smith Brooke Architects
Contractor: Brown Property Services
Kitchen Design: West & Reid
Interior Design: Child Stewart Design
Utility and inner hall joinery: Makers Furniture
Garden Design: Sarah Hammond
Photography: Chris Snook Photography

Originally built shortly after the Second World War, this large family home is located in a sought-after area of Dulwich.

Our clients were finding that the existing spaces at ground floor were not flowing and they wanted a more generous area for their kitchen and dining. Our brief was simple; to carefully connect an extension to a series of new spaces on the side of the property and ensure these linked to the entrance area at the front of the main house.

To achieve this we replaced the existing outdated extension with a modern cantilevered alternative which formed the basis for the new kitchen and dining area, the exterior façade of which was clad in black painted cedar. The rear of the house is west facing, causing the spaces at the back of the house to become very warm in summer. To mitigate the solar gain we designed bespoke brise soleil shading, large opening rooflights and solar treated glass. All of these design elements have ensured that the extension remains cool in the summer months. This fantastic suntrap is finished at roof level with a wildflower green roof which attracts an abundance of wildlife, with the added benefit of helping the building blend seamlessly with the garden.

Inside, the internal layout of the house was reshuffled to accommodate a snug, an inner hall, a utility room and a large pantry for the kitchen. When decorating, our clients worked closely with an interior designer (Child Steward Design) to keep the colour palette simple, choosing a rich walnut kitchen and neutrally painted walls, both in the kitchen and throughout the rest of the house.

Once work on the house was completed, the garden was landscaped by Sarah Hammond, harmoniously bringing together all of the new works to create an updated and spacious home for the family to enjoy.