Project Description
FROM THE ARCHITECTS:
Completely remodeling the groundfloor of this five-storey townhouse to provide contemporary living
spaces whilst retaining the character and integrity of the original property.
The approach was to rationalise and declutter the spaces on the ground floor in a scheme characterised
by clean lines, a restrained palette of materials and colours, and ample in-built storage to maintain a
minimalist aesthetic whilst accommodating family life. Spaces have been opened up to create clear
sightlines throughout, allowing separate activities to play out simultaneously in a series of connected
spaces.
The ground floor rooms have been reconfigured to create a clear continuum from the front sitting
room/play area and kitchen/diner out into the garden. The kitchen is central to the plan, allowing
parents to cook meals and simultaneously watch over their children playing in any area of the ground
floor – it’s a space arranged for parenting. A slightly sunken single-storey extension, level with the
patio, projects the new glazed dining space and play area into garden. It is tiled with the same concrete
paving slabs as the garden to create a seamless transition into the garden through full height glazed
sliding doors.
Plants line the play area to the side of the access doors ensuring that the children feel a close
connection to nature when playing inside. Black marble clads the projecting wall of the new extension,
complementing the black frame of the sliding door. The use of this luxurious material makes reference
to the houses of Mies van der Rohe and Adolf Loos.
Almost hidden behind the staircase is a new guest WC, full of natural light with a fully glazed ceiling. In
this space we allowed ourselves the use of colour through bold green, black and white tiles presented in
a unique abstract pattern.