The rationale of the lower floor of this south London house is defined by a series of framed views to the rear garden. The work explores a clerestory lantern structure that does not run the full length of the outrigger but is instead pulled away from the main house to create an internal courtyard. This reduces the new structure’s volume nearest the rear windows and allows more natural light into the central part of the house.

The transition between the front and the rear is signified by three green granite steps, spanning the width of a new centrally located access point into the rear of the house. The steps are part of the low level granite plinth that forms the perimeter of the space. It manifests itself externally too, below the brick, designed to withstand gardening activities at very close proximity to the rear wall and gets hidden amongst shrubs and grasses in the summer. The uninterrupted, no utilities, central kitchen unit was conceived as a place where the family convenes, in order to host a multitude of different activities; a platform that can be used and curated according to season/ needs/ circumstances.

 A garden expert advised on orientation, planting, location, views and worked in tandem and in partnership to achieve the client’s aspirations. This past summer the family enjoyed vine tomatoes and herbs and the intention is for fruit trees and further edible plants to be bedded over the years.