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1950s semi-detached, three-bedroom home is a common sight across the UK. Now more popular than ever, they are


prized for their generous proportions. Yet, as these homes approach their eighth decade, their condition is often poor, with little insulation and small windows in functional spaces such as the kitchen. “The elderly man had passed away, and we found a lounge full of junk, an old mint-coloured bath with an electric heater above and no fi tted itchen, says imon. hile living in ast London, imon, a


creative director, and his wife Lauren, an accountant, found this project just 20 minutes away. The couple were able to stay in their home while refurbishing the new property, also adding a single-storey extension. Throughout, their principle was ‘less is more’, choosing to peel back the layers of the house and reveal original materials, opting for ‘raw’ new materials and sourcing salvaged and recycled fi ttings themselves. “We had never worked with architects or builders before, says imon, who used Google to fi nd architecture practice B.  wanted people who are down to earth and into sustainability. e chose B because they listened when we said we wanted a warehouse apartment vibe. The renovation of the original parts of the house included adding some insulation in the attic and installing a new gas boiler. et imon and Lauren’s main focus was on removing and


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Throughout, their principle was ‘less is more’


repairing the existing building fabric, giving unexpected texture and character. f the plaster came away with the old wallpaper, the couple ept that wall as exposed bric. f the plaster stayed they simply left it, complete with historic holes and paint splashes. lthough sceptical at fi rst the couples builders soon got on board with the approach. “When they took out the chimney breast in the bedroom, the wall to the bathroom fell in, and the builders repaired it with salvaged bricks from the outside toilet, which had been painted yellow. o, there are now half a doen bright yellow brics in our bathroom. he most signifi cant part of the proect was the factory-lie new extension. efused planning permission on the fi rst application due to roof height, their second application passed but with enough height still to create a ‘warehouse’ feel in this L-shaped space. Those ceilings are high enough for a clerestory window to catch the sun, which tracks around the room until a roof light fi lls the itchen with evening light. A large picture window and two outward-opening patio doors, spanning 2.5m wide, improve the overall connection to


HIGH POINT


“We loved seeing the clerestory ceiling and glazing go in. We used to live in a Victorian two-up, two-down, and it was so dark. Now we love going into that space.


LOW POINT


“We had odd challenges, such as sub-contractors who went in gung-ho and put sockets in the wrong places, and they even drilled holes in metal oists.


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