Dezeen Magazine

Interior of Queen's Park House by Rise Design Studio

Rise Design Studio adds reclaimed-brick extensions to Queen's Park House

Reclaimed bricks and large windows define the side and rear extensions that London practice Rise Design Studio has added to a mid-terrace Victorian house in Queen's Park.

Named Queen's Park House, the residence in northwest London was extended and renovated to maximise space, natural light and views out to its garden.

Victorian terrave in Queen's Park in London
Rise Design Studio has extended a Victorian house in Queen's Park

Rise Design Studio's design saw the addition of two brick volumes – one to the side and one to the rear – in addition to light wells that help illuminate the home's deep plan.

These interventions aim to be sympathetic to the home's original architecture while opening up its interior and introducing pockets of privacy for the family members.

Brick extension at Queen's Park House by Rise Design Studio
The side and rear extensions are built with reclaimed bricks

"It was important to make sure you can see the garden throughout the interior space of the long narrow ground floor plan," explained Rise Design Studio director Sean Ronnie Hill.

"We created two lightwells and large openings, creating a visual connection to the strawberry trees," he continued.

Brick-lined entrance to open-plan kitchen and diner
The home now steps down to a open-plan kitchen and dining room

On entering, Queen's Park House's refurbished hallway features ceramic tiles, decorative cornices and a ceiling rose that nod to the heritage of the period home, while a distinctive gold light fixture hints at the contemporary extension beyond.

The ground floor plan opens up to the rear, stepping down into a light-filled kitchen and dining space with views of the garden.

Window seat inside Queen's Park House by Rise Design Studio
The reclaimed bricks also feature internally

The extension is characterised by a tactile material palette including earthy reclaimed bricks and wood with a deep blue satin paint finish.

A polished concrete floor is used to blur the boundary between the inside and outside, furthering the home's connection to the outside.

Kitchen of Queen's Park House by Rise Design Studio
Rise Design Studio prioritised creating views out to the garden

"The monolithic polished concrete floor throughout the kitchen, dining spaces as well as the rear patio was to help with the feeling of connection between the exterior and internal spaces," said Rise Design Studio.

Throughout the project, the brick is used to create a seamless transition between the old and the new elements.

Open-plan kitchen and dining room in London
Large windows and skylights have been introduced

The side and rear extensions are finished internally with reclaimed bricks that were carefully selected to match the existing brickwork at Queen's Park House.

These bricks extend along one side of the new space, forming a continuous plane that is punctured with glazed openings. A concealed door and cabinet are clad in the same brick, camouflaging as part of the wall when closed.

Crafted by a local joiner, the kitchen includes wooden units, teamed with a brass-mesh sliding door that covers a wine fridge and coffee machine.

On the first floor, a sculptural stair of black metal and timber has been added, forming the focal point of a double-height library with metal bookshelves. This leads to the new main bedroom on the second floor.

Wooden kitchen in London
Some of the kitchen cabinetry has a blue finish

To improve the energy performance of the existing Victorian house, the studio added insulation to its walls and upgraded some of its sash windows with double glazing.

Solar panels have also been installed on the green roof of the rear extension.

Sculptural staircase inside of Queen's Park House by Rise Design Studio
A new sculptural stair has been added

Rise Design Studio is a London practice founded by Hill in 2011. Queen's Park House is the latest in a series of extensions it has added to London homes.

The studio previously created the sunken Brexit Bunker and added douglas fir-lined reading nooks to a house in Kensal Rise.

The photography is by French + Tye.

More images and plans

Ground floor plan of Queen's Park House by Rise Design Studio
Ground floor plan
First floor plan of Queen's Park House by Rise Design Studio
First floor plan
Second floor plan of Queen's Park House by Rise Design Studio
Second floor plan
Section of Queen's Park House by Rise Design Studio
Section
Exterior of Queen's Park House by Rise Design Studio
Interior of Queen's Park House by Rise Design Studio
Interior of Queen's Park House by Rise Design Studio
Interior of Queen's Park House by Rise Design Studio
Interior of Queen's Park House by Rise Design Studio
Interior of Queen's Park House by Rise Design Studio
Interior of Queen's Park House by Rise Design Studio
Interior of Queen's Park House by Rise Design Studio
Interior of Queen's Park House by Rise Design Studio
Interior of Queen's Park House by Rise Design Studio
Interior of Queen's Park House by Rise Design Studio
Interior of Queen's Park House by Rise Design Studio
Interior of Queen's Park House by Rise Design Studio
Interior of Queen's Park House by Rise Design Studio
Exterior of Queen's Park House by Rise Design Studio
Interior of Queen's Park House by Rise Design Studio
Interior of Queen's Park House by Rise Design Studio
Interior of Queen's Park House by Rise Design Studio