The site for this new build contemporary house, within the curtilage of Avondale Park, had many uses and a colourful past. It was eventually agreed that the original Victorian building would need to be demolished and a new home - echoing the original footprint - would be built in its place.

The house was built and designed for a design journalist and her family, and by introducing a new basement area, we were able to significantly increase the floor area to create a good sized family home, with modest front and rear landscaped gardens. The ground floor is the main living space, with intercommunicating kitchen and reception area and separate workspace. There is a dramatic void over the living space, up to a galleried master bedroom suite above. 

Because of the tight site and other restrictions from neighbouring properties, the house is maximised at 210 m2 above ground, but by adding the new basement we were able to create a further 116 m2 below ground. This area, full of light, is a natural progression from the rest of the house, and is more a subterranean living space that belies the fact that it is a basement.