Space makers
Homes & Gardens
Space makers Sandy Dhaliwal discovers how this beautifully renovated Greenwich property utilises clever architectural know-how to create what all Londoners want – more space
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ewisham-based Stephen Jenkins Architects has dramatically transformed a Greenwich Victorian terrace into a spacious and contemporary living space that makes the most of its original features. The company was commissioned after the newly married clients had seen an image of Stephen’s own home in The Guide, and were so impressed that they hired the company to refurbish their Westcombe Park home. Stephen, who works alongside his wife Kate, explained that they always show people their own home, as while it is a typical semi-detached house; it provides a useful guide as to how you can exploit space to get the most out of your home. “My general philosophy is that when you live in London, space is an absolute premium,” he said. “It’s a case of making sure every little part of the building is being used as much as possible.” With a combination of careful planning, restoring original quirks and tricks to maximise the space, the husband and wife team were able to achieve what they call the Tardis Effect, by converting the three-bed, one-bathroom cottage into a striking four-bed, three-bathroom family home. The kitchen and lounge area at the rear has been transformed from an enclosed, almost windowless room into a light, modern living space; serving as the home’s family hub. This was all achieved while maintaining
24 The Guide | April 2012
the property’s original brickwork to preserve some of the original character. The room provides the perfect environment for entertaining friends with an open-plan kitchen and lounge leading to an elegant dining area with restored cornices and modernised fireplace. Thoughtful design and meticulous initial surveying also meant that several of the bedrooms now have en-suite bathrooms and beautifully restored fireplaces. Underfloor heating also removed the need for radiators. Stephen added: “This all illustrates how you can make the most out of quite a small house, making it into something quite spacious and light and maximising the potential of the house. If something is designed carefully it can also still achieve the wow effect.” The house originally belonged to the client’s grandmother, so she had known the place since her childhood. Her 90-year-old grandmother had lived in the property up until four years ago and was overwhelmed by the transformation, while the couple themselves cannot believe the place is actually theirs. It was touch and go for a moment though, as Greenwich Council nearly prevented the loft extension extending along the rear wing (which was permitted under lawful development), delaying the project for a year. But after launching an appeal, they eventually got the go ahead.
Architect Stephen Jenkins Left: The master suite boasts views on both sides Top: The openplan kitchen and lounge serves as the family hub
Photography Joe Lord
Top to bottom: The main bathroom; the dining room; the modern kitchen contrasts the original brickwork
The master suite situated on the top floor, now comprises a separate bathroom due to the granted extension. Without that permission, the bathroom would have eaten into the size of the bedroom and obscured the views from each side. Fortunately the bedroom now has picturesque views overlooking East Greenwich Pleasaunce on one side and the City and Docklands skylines on the other. To maximise the space, the ceilings and floors were subtly lowered, making the room feel like an original
part of the house, rather than a loft conversion. Stephen ended on the note: “I’m a firm believer of building with brick, glass and timber – the traditional way. If you can get the basics done elegantly, enduring and long lasting; then you can also have fun by adding interesting artwork to add a splash of colour and help expand the space more, or adding bright cushions.” } SJ Architects, 68 Boyne Road SE13 5AW 020 8318 7401; sjarchitects.com April 2012 | The Guide 25
Space makers Sandy Dhaliwal discovers how this beautifully renovated Greenwich property utilises clever architectural know-how to create what all Londoners want – more space
L
ewisham-based Stephen Jenkins Architects has dramatically transformed a Greenwich Victorian terrace into a spacious and contemporary living space that makes the most of its original features. The company was commissioned after the newly married clients had seen an image of Stephen’s own home in The Guide, and were so impressed that they hired the company to refurbish their Westcombe Park home. Stephen, who works alongside his wife Kate, explained that they always show people their own home, as while it is a typical semi-detached house; it provides a useful guide as to how you can exploit space to get the most out of your home. “My general philosophy is that when you live in London, space is an absolute premium,” he said. “It’s a case of making sure every little part of the building is being used as much as possible.” With a combination of careful planning, restoring original quirks and tricks to maximise the space, the husband and wife team were able to achieve what they call the Tardis Effect, by converting the three-bed, one-bathroom cottage into a striking four-bed, three-bathroom family home. The kitchen and lounge area at the rear has been transformed from an enclosed, almost windowless room into a light, modern living space; serving as the home’s family hub. This was all achieved while maintaining
24 The Guide | April 2012
the property’s original brickwork to preserve some of the original character. The room provides the perfect environment for entertaining friends with an open-plan kitchen and lounge leading to an elegant dining area with restored cornices and modernised fireplace. Thoughtful design and meticulous initial surveying also meant that several of the bedrooms now have en-suite bathrooms and beautifully restored fireplaces. Underfloor heating also removed the need for radiators. Stephen added: “This all illustrates how you can make the most out of quite a small house, making it into something quite spacious and light and maximising the potential of the house. If something is designed carefully it can also still achieve the wow effect.” The house originally belonged to the client’s grandmother, so she had known the place since her childhood. Her 90-year-old grandmother had lived in the property up until four years ago and was overwhelmed by the transformation, while the couple themselves cannot believe the place is actually theirs. It was touch and go for a moment though, as Greenwich Council nearly prevented the loft extension extending along the rear wing (which was permitted under lawful development), delaying the project for a year. But after launching an appeal, they eventually got the go ahead.
Architect Stephen Jenkins Left: The master suite boasts views on both sides Top: The openplan kitchen and lounge serves as the family hub
Photography Joe Lord
Top to bottom: The main bathroom; the dining room; the modern kitchen contrasts the original brickwork
The master suite situated on the top floor, now comprises a separate bathroom due to the granted extension. Without that permission, the bathroom would have eaten into the size of the bedroom and obscured the views from each side. Fortunately the bedroom now has picturesque views overlooking East Greenwich Pleasaunce on one side and the City and Docklands skylines on the other. To maximise the space, the ceilings and floors were subtly lowered, making the room feel like an original
part of the house, rather than a loft conversion. Stephen ended on the note: “I’m a firm believer of building with brick, glass and timber – the traditional way. If you can get the basics done elegantly, enduring and long lasting; then you can also have fun by adding interesting artwork to add a splash of colour and help expand the space more, or adding bright cushions.” } SJ Architects, 68 Boyne Road SE13 5AW 020 8318 7401; sjarchitects.com April 2012 | The Guide 25
