Harrow - Two Storey Side and Rear Extension

This project is all about connecting interior living spaces with the garden. Despite its location on a desirable corner plot, the original 1930s house had a conventional design with individual rooms and small window openings that separated interior and exterior spaces. The aims for the project were to bring more natural light into the interior, to make best use of long views out towards the widening garden, and to open up existing rooms to create a feeling of openness and flow between spaces. To achieve this, the ground floor was extended and adapted to create a series of staggered spaces that open directly onto the garden terrace. Unlike typical straight-line façades, which tend to divide inside and outside, the zig-zag façade helps to integrate the interior and exterior. Living, dining and kitchen spaces are positioned along the stepped façade, each space having a dual aspect, which fills the interior with natural light, and creates a variety of views towards the garden. The openness of the view was the outcome of careful design coordination with the Structural Engineer, Axiom Structures, and resulted in the elimination of all intermediate supports, achieving an entirely column-free space spanning 12m, and 14m unobstructed glass façade.