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One couple has sensitively transformed and extended their Georgian terraced house into a comfortable and contemporary home – and all without compromising its period charm…

A Georgian terraced house in east London has been given an extension with a difference

When Scott and Camilla Trindle moved into their new home – a Georgian terraced house – in 2016, they realised that, for all its original character and period features, it wasn’t without its drawbacks.

‘The kitchen was small and not suited to our lifestyle, and the property was in need of refurbishment,’ explains Scott. The couple were keen to have a larger, more sociable kitchen and dining space with a better connection to the garden, and more space to suit their growing family, and they also needed a new bathroom. However, any renovation work would have to take into account the couple’s keenness to retain the building’s original Georgian character.

Fortuitously, they lived close to architect Stuart Archer of Archer & Braun. Having met through neighbours, Scott and Camilla were able to take a look around Stuart’s own recently refurbished house and extension, and decided they’d like to work with the company to redevelop their own home.

Essentially, they were looking for a recognisably British feel to the design. ‘The striking concrete extension was a nod to mid-century British architects, who took French architect Auguste Perret’s Béton Brut (a term relating to raw concrete) and adopted it as their own – this led to the movement known as Brutalism,’ explains Stuart. ‘The other idea involved paring the design back to create a more timeless feel, which was achieved by omitting items you’d expect to see on an extension - coping, downpipes, cills, lights, reveals and frames.’

The architects managed the project from start to finish, which involved undertaking detail design (including the kitchen, bathroom and joinery), appointing the contractor and managing the project on site. It also entailed obtaining planning permission, which was more challenging than first anticipated.

At the time of the build, there were no other extensions on the street, so there was no planning precedent. Coupled with the fact that the property is locally listed and in a Conservation Area, as well as the back of the house being visible from another street, it was very challenging to get permission for

a striking contemporary design. However, the architects convinced the planners by proposing a high quality design that looks visibly different to the existing building.

Following the nine-month build, during which Scott and Camilla stayed with family and occasionally attended site meetings, what finally emerged was a new extension featuring an open-plan kitchen and dining space that seamlessly transitions from inside to out via sliding doors with narrow frames. The floor finish is exposed concrete that has been sanded to show the aggregate in the material, echoing the external cladding. New features include a built-in bench finished in teak reclaimed shelving from Eton College, a range cooker, cast-iron handles, a ceramic sink and silver nickel taps.

The bathroom was reconfigured to accommodate a washing machine, dryer and storage, with traditional panelling introduced to match that elsewhere in the house. The same reclaimed teak that features in the kitchen was used to create a surround for the bath.

Structural interventions in the existing house were kept to a minimum in order

Inspired by Brutalist architecture, the extension is clad in solid pieces of pre-cast concrete and features slim-framed sliding doors by Cortizo. A flush finish between the kitchen and external terrace brings the outside seamlessly in A built-in bench and fitted cupboards either side are topped with reclaimed teak by Lassco and make perfect use of the space. A skylight, above the mid-century table and chairs found on Ebay, adds to the bright and airy feel to this open-plan room

Period features, such as the traditional cast-iron railings and wooden sash windows, remain on this listed property Walls and shelving have been painted in Little Greene’s Jewel Beetle, offset with a yellow rug The vibrant yellow sofa from Loaf brings a cheery feel. Original floorboards complement the vintage coffee table and wooden chair, both bought from local antiques shops. The pendant light is by Ligne Roset

An understated glass pendant from Rockett St George hangs in this simple space, in which the original flooring and stairs have been retained