Extensions by Studio 54 Architecture frame the courtyard garden of a house in east London

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Photos
Sarah Blee

Studio 54 Architecture has remodelled a detached east London house to frame a new courtyard garden between a new ground-floor extension and a detached studio. The project adds space without resorting to upward extension. While the nineteenth-century house is not listed, it was built earlier than the rest of the street of three- and four-storey Victorian terraced houses, and was deemed to be of sufficient historic interest that a proposed upwards extension to match neighbouring houses was ruled out by the local planning authority.

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The existing ground floor plan, which had a previously built extension, has been opened up and rationalised, and another bedroom and bathroom created through extending the first floor, which was negotiated through a planning application. In addition a new garden studio was allowed as a Permitted Development, being partly set into the ground to limit disturbance to the garden boundary.

The construction of the studio at the end of the garden provided the opportunity to create a courtyard, partially screened from overlooking. Green roofs provide visual interest and add to the local biodiversity, and the new bedroom overlooks the courtyard across a planted roof from the first floor.

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To reinforce the enclosure and coherence of the outdoor space the perimeter of the courtyard has been clad in black stained timber with a paved surface, perimeter planting and two new trees.

The ground floor has been opened up to bring views and light into the kitchen and dining room in the middle of the house.

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Credits

Architect
Studio 54 Architecture
Structural engineer
Conisbee
Planning Consultant
NTR Planning
Main contractor
Catalin London