This is a dramatic transformation of a small, semi-detached Victorian house. Despite being arranged over three floors, it was so shallow in depth that the proportions were cottage like. 

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Architects: MWArchitects

Location: Clapham, London SW4, United Kingdom

Architects In Charge: Matthew Wood, Melissa Robinson

Area: 175.0 m2

Project Year: 2015

Photographs: French + Tye

Structural Engineer: Richard Tant Associates

Contractors: KJV

© French + Tye

From the architect. This is a dramatic transformation of a small, semi-detached Victorian house. Despite being arranged over three floors, it was so shallow in depth that the proportions were cottage like. 
© French + Tye

We dropped the floor at lower ground level, and excavated a substantial portion of the garden to make space for a two-storey extension made predominantly in glass. The existing rear wall was flattened off and rebuilt in traditional London stock brick, in contrast with the contemporary glazing.

© French + Tye

Internally, we opened up the space on all three levels to create generously proportioned rooms behind a traditional facade.

Sections

The first floor, formerly three poky rooms, is dedicated to the master suite. We removed the ceiling, exposing the pitched roof, which was restructured to remove any visible trusses. The double-height space h...