Dezeen Magazine

Glass Box by Studio 304

Glass Box extension by Studio 304 sits atop park-side home in Hackney

A glass box peeps over a brick wall at this Victorian property in east London, introducing natural light into the new living space created by local architecture practice Studio 304.

Glass Box by Studio 304

The Glass Box extension by Studio 304 sits on top of an existing single-storey living space at the back of the Hackney residence.

It is designed to flood a newly created open-plan living space with natural light, and give views up over a garden wall to an adjacent park.

Glass Box by Studio 304

The studio combined an existing ground-floor kitchen and dining area inside the Victorian end-of-terrace house, and carried out excavation works to a cellar to create an acoustically insulated music room.

Glass Box by Studio 304

"Shaded from the sun by the orientation of the existing house, this new frameless, glazed element takes advantage of the unique view from this end of terrace property," said the studio.

Glass Box by Studio 304

A set of sliding glass doors have also been added below the glazed extension to connect the dining space with the garden.

Glass Box by Studio 304

Bespoke joinery made from a combination of dark-stained oak and lacquered MDF features throughout the renovation.

The kitchen is fitted out with bright white cupboards and stained wooden shelves, which are set into dark recesses.

Glass Box by Studio 304

This dark-toned wood is also used to create the first-floor window seat, which enjoys park views through the glass roof extension.

Below the window seat, a translucent window framed in dark oak brings light down into the basement level.

Glass Box by Studio 304

The joinery is accompanied by grey ceramic tiles, used to cover the floor as well as splashbacks and storage niches.

Glass Box by Studio 304

"A restrained palette of ceramic tiles, spray-lacquered MDF and dark-stained oak were used to create a practical space with clean lines, but also a space with depth and warmth," explained the studio.

Another east London house extension completed by Space Group Architects also features a living space inside a glazed box, but this time the addition is sunk below ground level.

Photography is by Jason Taylor.

More images and plans

Glass Box by Studio 304
Site plan
Glass Box by Studio 304
Ground floor plan
Glass Box by Studio 304
Section
Glass Box by Studio 304
Glass Box by Studio 304
Glass Box by Studio 304
Glass Box by Studio 304
Glass Box by Studio 304
Glass Box by Studio 304
Glass Box by Studio 304
Glass Box by Studio 304
Glass Box by Studio 304
Glass Box by Studio 304
Glass Box by Studio 304