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Exterior of De Beauvoir Extension by Architecture for London

Architecture For London adds light-filled extension to Victorian Hackney home

Limestone and oak are among the materials used in this extension that local studio Architecture For London designed to add a contemporary twist to a Victorian house in Hackney.

Located in the De Beauvoir area, the extension sits in the garden of the home and is intended to complement its Victorian style while bringing more light into the interior.

Architecture for London's design is topped with a pitched roof that references the form of the existing building and has created space for a living and dining area as well as a kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.

Architecture For London has extended a Victorian home in Hackney

"We aimed to create an extension as an exercise in contextual design, sitting comfortably in its early Victorian surroundings," studio founder Ben Ridley told Dezeen.

"The main aims of the extension were creating more living space in the property, improving the thermal performance and allowing more natural light in."

Drawing upon the materials of the existing building, Architecture for London used ivory bricks and lime mortar for the walls, while oak was used throughout the interior spaces to add a modern twist to the home.

It is designed to complement the original architecture

"The extension directly references the gently pitched roofs and bay windows found on these existing rear facades," said Ridley.

"The material palette is also informed by this contextual approach, with ivory brick and lime mortar that closely resembles the original building."

A large oak-framed door connects the extension to the garden

A polished concrete floor extends through the interior spaces and out to the brick-lined courtyard, which is separated from a casual seating area by a wide glass door set in an oak frame.

Topped with a skylight, this casual seating area features oak benches that are built into recesses in the walls.

The kitchen has an island with a limestone countertop

A series of oak steps lead up from this space into the kitchen, which features an island with a limestone countertop and built-in storage made from reclaimed wood fibres.

"The kitchen joinery was made using waxed chipboard – a recycled sustainable product made from wood fibres reclaimed from other construction processes," Ridley explained.

Throughout the interior, the studio paired natural limestone and unpainted lime plaster walls with oak joinery to give the interior spaces a light and contemporary feel.

"Contemporary detailing and oak joinery were used to create a subtle distinction between old and new," said Ridley.

A bath and sink made from a light-grey stone feature in the bathroom

The bathroom is also topped with a skylight and features a bath and sink made from light-grey stone chosen to blend in with the plastered walls.

In addition to the extension, the studio aimed to enhance the thermal performance of the existing building by adding wood-fibre insulation to the existing walls and making the chimney flues airtight.

Skylights help to illuminate the interior

Founded in 2009 by Ridley, Architecture For London has completed numerous home extensions in the British capital including a monolithic stone extension to a house in Islington and a contrasting pair of extensions for neighbouring homes in east London.

The photography is by Christian Brailey.

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