Putney riverside restoration and extension
VATRAA
Wandsworth, 2024
Longlisted
The project brings a new approach to the refurbishment of Victorian houses. Instead of taking the 'standard' route, it steps into the territory of 'restoration'.
This decision was given by the constraints of the project: a house in a terrible condition, full of damp and not lived in for years, out of which the client asked us to bring out the impossible: to preserve (what remained from...) it's character and introduce subtle influences from their Sri Lankan culture, while combining everything in simple, calm lines. On top, it had to be sustainable.
New plaster blends with old plaster (where it could be preserved on the internal/party walls), while allowing insulation of external walls, the stair is fully restored, floorboards reused, all in a serene design connected to history and place.
“Ana and Bogdan truly transformed our living experience. From the design phase to construction, it was a natural partnership. They paid close attention to our needs and turned our house into a magical space: a serene bedroom, a highly functional and stunning kitchen, beautiful and calm living spaces that blend perfectly with the garden, and a consistent aesthetic throughout house that sensitively inserts elements from our culture. We wanted to conserve many of the original features of the house and they blended the old and new with great care and grace - it’s genuinely exceptional. The level of care and attention to detail that they put into our project, I don’t think it could have been any better. We are so happy we chose VATRAA as we couldn’t have asked for a better pair to work with!”