We visit Neiheiser Argyros’ compact house transformation in London
London based architecture studio Neiheiser Argyros has completely redesigned a compact townhouse into a generous family residence through a series of masterful interventions

London- and Athens-based architects Neiheiser Argyros have transformed a tired, modest semi-detached house by extending it, adding lots of glazing and playing with the floor levels.
The house in Barnes, south-west London was a mere 80 sq m when architect Xristina Argyros started on it. By the time she had finished, it was 180 sq m. ‘As it was on a corner, we were able to extend at the side and rear and get a square footprint, rather than typical rectangular shape,' she says. ‘Wherever we could, we extended to the full envelope of the house.' The attic floor was also extended.
Argyros reconfigured the ground floor from a succession of small rooms into an open plan affair, with subtle floor height variations. The living area was excavated down, the dining area is higher, and the kitchen and entrance are the original height. ‘We’ve given character to each space with geometry and material palette,' she adds, citing the living area’s built-in banquette and polished concrete floor, and the timber floor elsewhere. The column-free ground floor extension is made possible by a big steel beam that spans from one end of the house to another.
The architects have placed black-framed windows on three sides of the house, and have dotted the ceilings with skylights. In the first-floor bedrooms they’ve managed this by removing some of the ceiling and extending right up to the rafters. This has meant that the attic floor lost some awkward storage space under the eaves. ‘Sometimes it’s hard to convince clients to remove a floor, but certain changes can give a lot more value to a house as an experience, rather than just its square meterage,' believes Argyros.
The new stairs have an oak balustrade of verticals and diagonals, which allow playful views through the house.
INFORMATION
-
Volvo EX30 squeezes new materials and world-leading safety into a compact EV
The new Volvo EX30 is the smallest car in Volvo’s range. The full electric SUV provides a compelling mix of forward-thinking interior design with innovative materials and Google technology
By Jonathan Bell • Published
-
Jewellery artist Lucy Anderson charts a new path in minimalist wearable art
Lucy Anderson plays with abstract geometrical concepts for simple and elegant jewellery pieces
By Mazzi Odu • Published
-
A beachside home in the Dominican Republic is both private retreat and design destination
Arkina Architectural Design has created a vast beachside home for hire on the shores of the Caribbean, carved from concrete and set within a tropical garden
By Jonathan Bell • Published
-
Discover Battersea Roof Gardens, Battersea Power Station’s latest residential development
Battersea Roof Gardens opens at Battersea Power Station, offering additions such as Sky Lounge and vast gym
By Hannah Silver • Published
-
London architecture exhibitions 2023: a guide to the best shows this month
Exciting, beautiful and thought-provoking London architecture exhibitions; here's our pick of the finest in town, to visit and enjoy this month
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
Serpentine Pavilion 2023 invites everyone to the table
The Serpentine Pavilion 2023 launches to a design by Lina Ghotmeh, whose installation 'À table,' is an invitation to togetherness
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
A show on British cooling towers explores these sculptural giants
'British Cooling Towers - Sculptural Giants' is a new exhibition created by Twentieth Century Society (C20 Society) and Margaret Howell, presented during the London Festival of Architecture 2023
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
A Trellick tower apartment’s contemporary makeover
A Trellick tower apartment gets a contemporary makeover by architecture studio Buchholzberlin and interior designer Peter Heimer
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
The Arbor House brings quiet minimalism to a suburban Aberdeen site
The Arbor House by Brown & Brown is a low-energy home in suburban Aberdeen that brings calm and minimalism to its sloped site
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
LFA 2023 kicks off, celebrating togetherness and common ground
The London Festival of Architecture (LFA) 2023 is launched today, putting the spotlight on its theme, 'In common'
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
New Practice’s architecture draws on kindness and collaboration
New Practice co-founders Becca Thomas and Marc Cairns talk us through their Glasgow- and London-based studio’s ethos, projects and plans for the future
By Ellie Stathaki • Published