This project involved the addition of a front/side/rear single storey extension, lowering of the existing basement levels and refurbishment of the remaining three floors of a Grade 2 listed late Victorian villa in Canonbury, Islington.

The space at the side of the house was very narrow (less than 3 metres) resulting in a slender but deep (14 metres) extension that was positioned halfway between the existing ground and basement levels but level with the front and rear gardens.

The side extension houses a utility room and kitchen/garden room. The kitchen joinery was all purpose-designed/made incorporating a mobile table/island unit that can be wheeled out to the garden.

Due to the narrow site constraints, the rear of the extension was opened up as far as possible. Sliding/folding rear doors pull back to allow the internal spaces to ‘flow’ out to the garden. The illusion of greater space is created by building the garden room out on slightly raised ‘floating’ stone plinth The cantilevered roof structure over is supported on a slender 89mm steel column.

Mirror and coloured glass is utilised throughout the kitchen area to convey an impression of more space and several skylights add a sense of greater volume.

Existing basement walls were demolished and new oak clad joinery units to house AV equipment and general storage etc were built. A stone clad wet room was also installed at basement level.