Chivalry Road

Sketch Architects has refurbished a terraced house in the south west of London into a more liveable and usable home for a growing family. The existing building had already been extended with a partial side return, but every zone was very separate from the next, contributing to an overall feeling of disconnection. The young owners wanted to create a more open, spacious ambience at the rear of the house, while establishing better linkage throughout the rest of the ground level.

The architects added an airy, bright rear extension with large glass doors opening to the outside areas and a playful basement room. A double-height space in the centre of the property and a relocated staircase allows light in from a new glazed roof at the rear. The kitchen floor was lowered to enhance the flow to the garden.

The addition of new steels inside the house meant many internal walls could be removed, maximising sightlines diagonally from front to back. Exposed bricks cover the entire double-height zone, giving more continuity to the design. The front reception room was made considerably larger and a glass wall overlooking the area was installed in order to improve light flow and maintain the connection with the rest of the dwelling.