White Patio House in Camberwell

Pashenko Works

Lambeth, 2023

Shortlisted

Longlisted

The project is an extension and renovation of an existing Victorian terrace. The project was conceived as a prototype for urban dense living, where the development has been thoughtfully maximized within local planning constraints. It successfully responds to the challenge of making experientially rich dwelling within the context of congested cityscape.

Being inspired by Belgian brutalism, the exposed blockwork with high recycled content delineate the whole perimeter of the site as a uniting theme and contriving an ascetic domesticity. The blockwork, steel beams, floor and metal deck - most of the materials have been left true and exposed. The new additions’ façade have been clad in off-white corrugated steel sheets matching to the aluminum color of windows frames and doors.

The project unlocked the potential of a 130 years old Victorian house and made it suitable for high quality living requirements through innovative and creative interventions: a side and rear extension on the ground floor, a rear extension on the first floor, a new mansard roof, and an outbuilding. The initial area of the house has been more than doubled, and now houses several family generations. The “old” host building and the new volumes are connected by a conceptual glass “bridge”; this atrium brings daylight into the centre of the house while visually and physically connecting all floor levels. The configuration of the “bridge” embodies the “memory” of the old building.

The traditional sitting room facing the street has been transformed into an office to allow for the hybrid working from home, resembling a historical set up with workshops on the ground floor and living accommodation above.
The majority of design decisions were based on environmental considerations and cost effectiveness. The exposed blockwork throughout provides a large thermal mass to the building, ensuring the building stays cool in summer. Underfloor heating allows for efficient low temperature heating.

“When we bought the original house it was poorly insulated, had damp issues and was too small to meet our family's current and future needs: there was no family bathroom, the third bedroom was less than seven square meters, and we also wanted an extra room for our ageing parents to stay with us when they get older. We were simply amazed with the beautiful and spacious home we achieved as a result. The blissfully serene minimal interiors create calm and comforting backdrop for our busy hectic lives. Our small children love playing in the garden and look after the vegetables we grow, they now have so much extra space to run around. The remarkable ground floor of around fifty square meters is one large open space. The house has got everything we ever wanted and more.”

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