Poet's Corner House
Oliver Leech Architects
Lambeth, 2024
Longlisted
The project is a deep retrofit and extension to a Victorian terraced house in the Poet’s Corner Conservation Area, in Herne Hill. With a modest budget, the project centered on the re-imagining of the layout to prioritise a connection to nature and light. The house was upgraded thermally throughout to provide a low-energy dwelling fit for the 21st century, despite the constraints of the Conservation Area. The vision was to do less, but at a higher standard to prioritise the home’s performance, and to create a home that engages with the garden through the use of an internal courtyard and wildflower roof garden.
“The house is warm and joyful, and welcomes a lot of activity with friends, family and guests. The design features feel modest enough to not interfere with the traditional character, creating a perfect balance. To us, it feels like a retreat to nestle down into, which we hope to do for many years to come.”