West Square

MTA were approached to design a contemporary extension to a grade two listed Georgian terraced house in a conservation area behind the Imperial War Museum, Southwark. After positive discussions with the conservation department at Southwark grade two listed building consent and Planning permission was won for a modern contemporary extension to the house. It was agreed with the council that to ‘pastiche’ the existing house with a period copy extension was not the correct way forward.

A contemporary design was developed reinterpreting the Georgian spirit and elegance in an innovative extension, separated from the main house by structural glass slot and enhancing the existing dwelling with another layer of heritage. The main works concerned the basement where a contemporary open plan living area was created, flooding the space in natural light and allowing what was a dark area, constantly lit with artificial light, to breath. The upper floors were refurbished keeping the traditional layouts to respect the character of the house, with a contemporary ensuite bathroom to the main bedroom clad in painted glass – painted to match the leaves of the acacia tree in the garden.

The extension was designed with a solid terraced roof, separated from the ground and rear wall of the house by structural glass allowing it to float. The basement was finished with limestone, parapan and basalt with a new light weight stair hanging down from the ground floor allowing light to pass through it. Folding sliding doors open into the garden allow the views and light to be maximised.