Dezeen Magazine

Graphic House by Office S&M

Office S&M uses colour and geometry to create Graphic House in London

Graphic shapes and bold hues define the living spaces of this mid-terrace Edwardian home in east London, overhauled by architecture studio Office S&M.

Aptly named Graphic House, the playful renovation in Hackney makes use of colour and art deco forms that reflect the tastes of its graphic-designer owners.

Interior photo of Graphic House by Office S&M
Office S&M has completed Graphic House in London

Office S&M has used the variety of colours to define key moments throughout the house and to highlight the old and the new elements.

The project was recently shortlisted in this year's Don't Move, Improve! awards.

Colourful kitchen by Office S&M
The home is located in Hackney

"In this project colours and shapes have been used to help define key moments throughout the house and tell a story about the building's function and history," said Office S&M co-founder Catrina Stewart.

"We drew upon the client's belief in the power of graphics and love of art deco forms, using distinct shapes to connect spaces and bright colours to enhance every room," she told Dezeen.

Colourful kitchen with ivy plant and island
Bold colours and geometric shapes are used throughout

According to the studio, the house was in poor condition when the owners purchased it, meaning a substantial part of the build budget went towards repairing leaks, removing mould, and fixing holes in the roof.

The studio also made upgrades to the house's external fabric to improve energy performance and reconfigured its internal layout.

Interior photo of Graphic House by Office S&M
It occupies an Edwardian mid-terrace

On entering Graphic House, a hallway featuring pink plaster and refurbished ceramic tiles leads to the open-plan living and dining room, which is accented with lilac shelving and bright yellow radiators.

A mint green hue highlights several new elements on the ground floor, such as the curved walls of the bathroom, the cabinetry in the kitchen and the rear garden wall.

Photo of the dining room with wooden floor
The home was shortlisted in this year's Don't Move, Improve! awards

Existing walls that have been restored are left bare, with their pink plaster giving a nod to the house's past and bringing warmth to the space. Meanwhile, a bright yellow is used to mark new window and door frames.

The art deco fireplace has been retained at the request of the owners, who also wanted to see its geometry reflected in the design of the house.

The curved features of the fireplace are echoed in the gentle sweep of the rounded kitchen island and the walls of the downstairs toilet, as well as in the large yellow-framed kitchen window overlooking the garden.

"The kitchen window also acts as a time marker, like the oculus in the dome of the Pantheon in Rome," said Stewart.

"The circle of sunlight will track across the space, recording the passing of time and the seasons," she continued. "When the circle first appears, it announces the beginning of spring, and its disappearance marks the start of winter."

Photo of a doorway at Graphic House by Office S&M
There is a blue staircase

The kitchen at the rear of the house has worktops made from recycled plastic cutlery melted down to form a terrazzo-like finish.

Here, further pops of colour are introduced with furnishings, providing contrast to the mint green and plaster pink walls. This includes a curved red extractor hood and pendant lights.

Photo of a hallway in London home
Pink plaster covers several of the walls

On the first floor, the curves and colours continue in the new bathroom, which has a rounded shower enclosure featuring white tiles and yellow grout.

The approach to Graphic House's interior spaces was, in part, informed by the work of artist Nathalie Du Pasquier, and the way in which she plays with colour and scale, said Office S&M.

Photo of a bathroom with white tiles and yellow grout
The interior layout has been reconfigured

This approach is reflected in the stairwell, where an oversized stair and large white-painted circles contrast with the pale blue and yellow staircase. Large circular mirrors reflect light from the skylight at the top of the stairwell.

"This merging of graphics and architecture, allows us to play with scale and depth in spaces, aimed at encouraging intrigue and discovery," Stewart explained.

Bedroom of Graphic House by Office S&M
The interior is intended to reflect its graphic-designer owners

Office S&M is a London studio founded by Stewart and Hugh McEwen in 2013. It is known for its experimentation with colour and materials, as shown in its own own office, which features a plastic-bottle wall.

Previous projects include a millennial pink and mint-green house extension and a colourful renovation of a Georgian townhouse in Islington.

The photography is by French + Tye.

More images and plans

Ground floor plan of Graphic House
Ground floor plan
First floor plan of Graphic House
First floor plan
Section drawing of Graphic House
Section drawing
Graphic House by Office S&M
Graphic House by Office S&M
Graphic House by Office S&M
Graphic House by Office S&M
Graphic House by Office S&M
Graphic House by Office S&M
Graphic House by Office S&M
Graphic House by Office S&M
Graphic House by Office S&M
Graphic House by Office S&M
Graphic House by Office S&M
Graphic House by Office S&M
Graphic House by Office S&M
Graphic House by Office S&M
Graphic House by Office S&M