Ash House

House of three gardens

The existing building is an Edwardian semi-detached house located on a triangular plot along the river Quaggy. The unusual plot shape allowed space for development on the side while leaving three distinct garden spaces around the house, to the front, side and rear.

The idea was to build a two-storey side timber extension which opens up a better connections to these garden spaces while creating an architectural contrast to the existing building.

Given the proximity to the riverside there are large mature trees all along the boundary, creating a green curtain around the gardens and giving access to longer views in between onto the borrowed landscape beyond.

Project shortlisted for New London Architecture's 2020 Don't Move, Improve! Award as part of the 25 best house extensions in London

All photos by Andy Stagg

Pivot spaces

The interior spaces are interconnected semi open-plan and create distinct areas of different character. The spaces are directed towards the different garden views, switching direction to create surprising sight-lines. While the dining area acts as a pivot and faces the pond, it connects to the the family room which faces the Japanese garden. The lounge is located at the front of the house in the original Victorian space. It is adjacent the front garden which has a Mediterranean feel. The kitchen addresses the rear garden with its terrace and play space.

Upstairs, the bedroom shapes are also informed by the different garden views they create. A master suite is added in the extension, giving the house four full bedrooms.

Ash interiors

The most relevant interior elements such as floor, kitchen, window seat and stairs are made of solid ash and ash-veneered plywood. This restrained palette contrasts with white walls and ceilings as well as selected colourful elements.

The stairs are treated as a piece of habitable furniture, with partial views in and out. The hole pattern follows the stair profile and inclludes larger holes along the eye level of both small children and adults. 

The floor is laid diagonally to accentuate the dynamic character of the spaces and respond to the triangular shape of the plot.

Splashes of colour

Selected functional areas such as the entrance, the kitchen shelf or the tall doors have been painted in strong colours to provide accents throughout the house. This provides moments of surprise akin to walking through a landscape, in contrast to the otherwise restrained materials palette.