“O


ur previous home was in not far away, also in Clapham, south London,” says Sally. “But we


needed more space, and we had been looking on this road. The house had been on the market for a while and was well-kept, but we wanted to put our stamp on it.” This handsome, double-fronted Edwardian home already had fie bedrooms and an unusually large garden, despite being semi- detached. Yet Sally and Tom, who were hoping for a third child, had very clear ideas about what they needed from their new home; room to grow, and more light. Although Sally and Tom work as lawyers, they


are also experienced renovators, with three previous projects under their belts. We were pretty confident, says Sally.


“We knew we would have to rewire, replumb, replaster and change the shape of the rooms. We also wanted a perfect finish. Friends recommended London practice Draw Architecture, and the couple’s brief made it clear a large kitchen, dining and family area were essential features for how they wanted to live in the house. Working from that point, ideas evolved, but it was architect Seamus Shanks at Draw who came up with the concept of creating a sunken sitting area within the open-plan kitchen and dining room. “I just love it!” says Sally.


Almost no part of the original house was left untouched, as they needed “lots of living space,” asserts Sally. “There was no basement or cellar, so we used every nook and cranny and built-in maximum storage.” As a result, the


30 www.sbhonline.co.uk


rooine was raised to allow for three bedrooms on the second oor making si in total, almost every wall was moved, and two extensions were added one on the ground oor to create the open plan space, and one on the first oor. “There wasn’t a lot [of the original] house left,” admits Sally. “Just the front and sides and the stairs. You could stand inside and see the sky.” Before any of this work could begin, Tom and Sally needed to get planning permission, and this was not straightforward. “Draw [Architecture] were very good,” says


Sally. “We got planning permission to add a pod. ts a glass bo on the first oor at the back of the house, maybe 3 m x 1 m, but it makes a world of difference to the bedroom. It feels so spacious now.” This planning application was reected at first, but the couple was able to get permission on appeal.


The other part of their application was even


more complex. Their plans for a large rear extension to house the new kitchen and dining area were rejected. However, Tom and Sally were lucky to find eidence the house was originally built with a type of conservatory attached at the rear. The size and position of this historic structure meant they were able to get their desired extension under permitted development rules. “We got everything we wanted in the end,” says Sally. The property’s rear extension is built


entirely in masonry, with 100 mm of Styrofoam insulation. Unlike the traditional ‘pretty’ frontage, the extension has a chic and contemporary black zinc finish. ot only is this hard-wearing and practical, but it creates a clear


jul/aug 2023


HIGH POINT


“The end of the build when it all finally came together. I looked around and just said ‘wow’.”


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