McLaren Excell transforms Victorian house into refined modern living space
Petersfield House by architects McLaren Excell reimagines a Victorian home in Cambridge into a contemporary, minimalist haven

Transforming and upgrading existing housing into buildings fit for contemporary living and current environmental requirements is a challenge relished by every architect. The UK’s vast stock of vernacular housing is usually readily identifiable with its age – Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian – with each era offering a surprisingly versatile canvas on which to restore, enhance and extend to create a modern living space.
McLaren Excell’s extension, restoration, and modernisation of this house in Cambridge builds on the studio’s experience of working with old buildings. The London-based studio, founded by Rob Excell and Luke McLaren in 2011, was featured in our 2018 Architects’ Directory.
Previous projects have harmonised old and new, with a pared-back minimalist architecture approach to creating new spaces, using a sparse material palette, meticulous detailing and a reverence for proportion, light, and showing off construction details.
Petersfield House had already been subject to alterations, although these earlier works only served to create a rather dense, dark internal plan that didn’t make the most of the house’s fine original proportions and exterior spaces.
The core of the house was therefore radically revised, with a new stairwell that linked the front and rear on the ground floor and provided a spacious landing on the floor above.
Unlike some of the studio’s earlier projects, there were barely any original decorative features to retain, so elements like doors and skirtings were pared back to nothing, with a shadow detail separating the timber floor, plaster and brick walls and the concrete ceilings above.
New bespoke joinery throughout creates a unity between the kitchen, staircase, and storage, while door openings were taken right up to ceiling height to improve the sense of flow between the spaces.
The staircase has a quiet elegance, with its vertical steel spindles and oak veneered risers. It is paired with bespoke light fittings, designed by the practice, that drop down the entire height of the new stairwell.
The modern side extension was completely demolished and rebuilt, and the floor level dug down to give the new kitchen a more spacious feel. Rooflights flank the floating concrete ceiling and a large pane of frameless glass gives an unobstructed view of the garden.
The brickwork on the front façade of the new extension features subtle fluting that references the original chimneys. The interior of the extension also has a more utilitarian feel with exposed bricks and ceiling joists.
An original fireplace is retained in the dining room, making a strong juxtaposition with the new fireplace in the minimal sitting room.
The overall ambiance is one of quiet, calm, and unexpected space.
INFORMATION
mclarenexcell.com
Jonathan Bell has written for Wallpaper* magazine since 1999, covering everything from architecture and transport design to books, tech and graphic design. He is now the magazine’s Transport and Technology Editor. Jonathan has written and edited 15 books, including Concept Car Design, 21st Century House, and The New Modern House. He is also the host of Wallpaper’s first podcast.
-
Inside André Fu’s Hong Kong ‘urban retreat’
Hong Kong-based designer André Fu shares iPhone snaps of his home overlooking Deep Water Bay and tells us of his inspirations, daily rituals and favourite art and design objects
By Rosa Bertoli • Published
-
Scarpetta Rome brings New York flair to classic Italian flavours
Scarpetta Rome is the latest outpost of the classic New York Italian restaurant
By Mary Cleary • Published
-
Laundry list: how to look after your clothes, and make them last longer
A group of experts weigh in on their tips for washing, storing and repairing your clothes to make them last for decades to come
By Jack Moss • Published
-
Don’t Move, Improve 2023: discover house of the year and London’s best homes
The Don’t Move Improve 2023 winners have been revealed, chosen from a refined selection of 15 homes, as the judges announced the Home of the Year alongside seven more category gongs
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
A Mayfair coach house reborn through warmth and craftsmanship
A Mayfair coach house is transformed through colour and light by Studio QD and Holloway Li
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
2023 British Pavilion offers diverse and dynamic installation at the 2023 Venice Biennale
The 2023 British Pavilion, 'Dancing Before the Moon,' contributes a triumphant blend of ritual, music, and cross-cultural pollination to the biennale’s ‘laboratory of the future’
By Jonathan Bell • Published
-
The finest brutalist architecture in London and beyond
For some of the world's finest brutalist architecture in London and beyond, scroll below. Can’t get enough of brutalism? Neither can we.
By Jonathan Bell • Published
-
Factory International by OMA is set to be a moveable feast
Factory International by OMA is a Manchester cultural centre designed to break barriers between audience and performer
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
St Catharine’s College social hub in Cambridge reimagined by Gort Scott
Gort Scott's design for St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, gives a sensitive facelift to a much loved, bustling campus
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
Eurovision 2023: stage design behind the scenes
The Eurovision 2023 stage design for the legendary annual song contest, held this week in Liverpool, has been designed by Yellow Studio and draws on the power of a hug
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
Farrell Centre opens as an ‘urban room’ for the people of Newcastle
Farrell Centre opens in Newcastle, UK, offering a space for architecture debate and for the local people to learn more about their city
By Ewa Effiom • Published