Upper Clapton #85

Project Overview:

The property is a Victorian mid-terrace house on the border of Clapton and Stoke Newington. The existing building formed a really good example of a large 3 storey late Victorian terrace, however the existing basement level had been partially excavated and the result was substandard living accommodation.

The brief was threefold, Phase 1 was the refurbishment of all rooms to the upper floors; Phase 2 was the creation of a large side & rear wraparound extension forming a new kitchen and dining area, with separate laundry room & WC; Phase 3 was the further excavation and full tanking of the basement to form a semi-autonomous flat for rental, including new front lightwell with external access, kitchen, bathroom and private external rear courtyard.

The new wraparound extension was formed to work around large sections of the existing structure, in order to both minimise cost and intervention, but also to inform the new spaces and have a clear line of distinction between the original footprint and the new addition. This delineation helped zone the various functions, with utilities and cloakroom being accommodated within the existing rear projection, and the new kitchen and dining room wrapped around the existing rear projection footprint.

A courtyard was also retained between the side extension and existing basement and rear reception, in order that all of the original rooms retained an external aspect providing daylight, ventilation & views, and in the instance of the basement bedroom, direct access to a private external courtyard.

The existing basement was excavated further to provide improved ceiling heights and was fully tanked with a cavity membrane and pump system. The basement has it's own front access, rear courtyard, kitchen, living area, shower room & laundry, so now functions as a semi-autonomous flat.

The rest of the property was then refurbished to a high standard, with a new bathroom, shower room, doubled glazed sash windows and new finishes & fixtures throughout.

Team:

Architect: ARCHEA

Building Control: Assent South East

Engineer: DEC Consulting Engineers Ltd

Contractor: AT Building & Construction