The brief was to transform a  typical 1930’s  house, sited on a steep slope (6m from street to garden) and an awkwardly narrowing and turning plot (as it follows a public path) to accommodate a growing family with evolving needs - parents (one working from home now), 2 kids and grandparents for 6-8 months a year.

The design embraces the slope, adding new living space half a floor down, a mid-level deck and a garden office with a climbing-wall.  Utility space was added by infilling the space to the side of the house.

Internally the journey steps through three framed, interconnected spaces.  The black glazed frame with a hand-woven woollen screen ensures privacy, drawing you through to a burnt-orange frame into the lower level living space.  A creasing-tile frame leads you onto the deck and into the garden where the garden office and climbing-wall are now connected to the house – both visually and through easy access.

The result was an inviting and open feel to a previously cramped ground floor, with an extension that feels natural. 

A space that easily transforms from a daytime indoor-outdoor circus playground for kids, to an evening of tranquil entertainment.  The climbing-wall brings an alternate, colourful, playful and welcoming end to the garden while the intervening deck provides connected, accessible external space.  A home that rather than fighting the site, uses it.

Photo Credit : Anthony Coleman and Supriya Mankad