A glazed wood extension completely transforms this Haringey home, courtesy of the London architecture studio of Satish Jassal. Located in Stroud Green’s conservation area in north London, the house adds much needed space to a typical historical brick townhouse. Jassal and his team completely refurbished the existing structure and added a double-height glazed and oak-framed conservatory to the rear of the 19th-century property.
‘The existing building was of very poor condition with damp and sloping floors. So, 80 per cent of the existing building was stripped out, reconfigured, restored and replaced, explains Jassal. The result is a tactile, bright box addition that glows like a crafted lantern at night.
The architect aimed to create a contemporary space, which looks at once modern and refined, and is up to 21st-century standards in terms of functionality and services. At the same time, it was equally important to keep the character of the original house, by maintaining original features and creating new elements that are in fruitful dialogue with their historical peers. The timber’s colouring and feel works towards that, matching the textures and hues of the original brick – all the while marking clearly the old from the new in the finished composition.
In the glazed extension, three bespoke oak chandeliers hang from the ceiling, illuminating the space and providing shading from the sunlight during the daytime. The chandeliers become a central design element in this busy family space. Their craft and refinement represent a spatial celebration and bring sophistication to the interior – an attitude that appears everywhere in the property’s new, simple yet carefully considered design.
The extension’s flowing interior space blends various functions, while keeping the whole seamless and practical. ‘A painted steel and oak staircase cantilevers over the kitchen, and the worktops become part of the staircase,’ Jassal adds. ‘The living spaces open onto each other and onto to garden beyond.’ §
