Category: House Refurbishment

02
Mar

Our London roof is featured in Dezeen.

Save The London Roof | Architects in Hackney | Stoke Newington, Hackney

The London butterfly roof is disappearing as more homeowners extend upward, altering the distinct parapet roofline. This project reinterprets the traditional London roof, avoiding a standard lean-to extension.

Featured in Dezeen, the butterfly roof adds architectural character to this North London terrace. Exposed timber rafters create a striking feature, bringing warmth to the living room. To enhance ceiling height, the floor was excavated, aligning the space with the rest of the house. A wood-burning stove serves as the room’s focal point, while a suspended library wall adds character. Subtle, indirect lighting eliminates the need for pendant lights.

The ground floor has been fully reconfigured. The kitchen, now between the living and dining rooms, forgoes high-level cupboards in favour of two long counters for extensive workspace. The bay-fronted dining room retains its Victorian charm, enriched with bold colors, 1950s furniture, and period lighting. Positioned for morning light from the east, it contrasts with the west-facing hexagonal window, which frames sunset views over the garden.

09
Nov

Books are flying off the shelves at Betty Layward’s new school library.

School Library | Architects for Hackney | forrester architects

The books are flying off the shelves at Betty Layward’s new school library in Stoke Newington. The library opened its doors today and the ribbon was cut by author and illustrator Jane Ray.  A school has reclaimed space from the IT room. If you thought a school was built around the library then things have changed since you were at school. Throughout the development, the parents were involved to re-establish the library. The children can enjoy and focus on reading on paper and not on screen.
 
The works are being carried out over the summer and completed for the new term. In keeping with the rapidly changing times, there will be a mixture of paper and electronic media to keep up with evolving technologies. Bespoke furniture has been arranged to create three informal reading zones with easy access to the book shelving. The bookshelves are made to be accessible to all ages. And when needed by a full classroom the bookshelves can be moved aside to allow a large seating area focussed on the whiteboard. A neighbouring project is a full house refurbishment
 
The aim is to provide a library that reflects the school ethos_to inspire, develop and nurture every child to have the confidence to learn.
31
Jul

A new courtyard Orangery to a Kensington & Chelsea townhouse.

Courtyard Orangery | Architects for Kensington & Chelsea | West London

forresterarchitects are working with Callender Howorth on a new courtyard Orangery to a large Kensington & Chelsea townhouse. An existing courtyard space separates the main house from the mews house to the rear. The courtyard is under utilised and the client would like to use the space more throughout the year.
 
An courtyard Orangery unites each wing of the house. It provides a central gathering space for dining which remains an important part of the client’s daily routine. A number differing geometries are to be resolved due to differing scales between the main house and mewsOur initial proposal provides an undulating organic roof form to encapsulate the exterior courtyard. It provides a bright luxurious internalised garden space. The dining room will be relocated to form the main gathering point with an informal lounge space nestled under the mezzanine. An artist’s studio is added to the mezzanine terrace. and retain a visual connection with the main space and will be linked by a spiral stair to the lounge below. The undulating form of the canopy allows for the existing window configuration to be retained. A portion of the glazed roof-light will be openable to allow for natural ventilation throughout the Orangery
08
Nov

A non-conformist London roof returns to Stoke Newington.

Rear Extension and House Refurbishment | Architects for Hackney | Stoke Newington, North London

forresterarchitects have completed a full house refurbishment to a fine Victorian terraced house in Stoke Newington. The house had not been decorated for many years and a refurbishment was well overdue.  A new non-conformist rear extension was proposed. A modern interpretation of the London Roof provides the extension with a unique language for the house. The roof structure is expressed as exposed timber joist with a plywood ceiling which adds a simple but natural warmth to the interior. A full architectural service was provided from inception through to contract administration and completion. 

The roof construction avoids a traditional cold roof construction of slate tile and rafter. Instead a single ply polymeric roof membrane provides a lightweight well-insulated alternative. A large hexagonal glass window frames views of the small urban garden from the living room.

As part of the reconfiguration works the kitchen has been moved into the middle of the house. A new open plan galley kitchen provides a connection between the lounge and the dining room which has moved to the front bay windowed room.  The dining room is now orientated for the early morning sun-rise to the East and perfect for breakfast. Other works to the house involve the conversion of the original roof space to provide a traditional loft conversion. This adds a new floor of accommodation for guests. A wet-room shower room has been located on the top floor landing to avoid losing any bedroom space. The house was configured as a three bedroom house now provides five bedrooms.  As part of the refurbishments works the entire house has been rewired with new plumbing throughout. Each room has been provided with hard-wired CAT 5 data connectivity.

 

17
Aug

A house refurbishment with new basement floor in Stoke Newington.

House Refurbishment with Basement | Architects for Hackney | Stoke Newington, North London

A large Victorian house refurbishment and basement extension in Stoke Newington, North London is substantial house refurbishment. The house has not been refurbished since its purchase by the clients, ten years previous.  During this period the house suffered from student occupation and was tired. Not far from our other local new-build project in Stoke Newington

The upper floors were bowed and only one bathroom served a four bedroom house. A full house refurbishment was proposed with the requirement of a full-width rear extension. A low engineered basement solution was added as a cost effective solution basement extension to avoid underpinning. The new basement space provides a viable solution to the client’s storage and utility requirements. A projecting window seat was a key feature to the rear extension design proposal. A fully glazed roof-light provided a bright modern kitchen overlooking a modest garden. A large garden pond provides a new focal point to the garden. 

To the upper floor the large bedroom proportions are retained intact. A guest shower-room to the top floor landing provided a simple design solution without compromising the top bedroomsA muted palette provided the most suitable background for the client’s extensive art collection.