EXTENSION & FACELIFT, WOODFORD GREEN

The extension and new cladding completely transformed this 1980’s house in Woodford Green

The project’s objective was not only to enlarge the property, but to transform this 1980s house lacking character into a unique home.

The original architecture featured a common combination of red brick facades, white uPVC windows and concrete roof tiles. There was a missed opportunity in the complete absence of a relationship with the garden located at the side of the property. With the garden elevated above the internal floor level, a narrow path around the house served as a ditch, making access to the garden uncomfortable. 

When the property was extended, rather than replicating its original character, a new design was conceived for both the extension and the main building. Vertical larch cladding was used to create a cohesive look between the extension and the original structure. Large sliding pocket doors open the house up to the garden. A new generous patio, with wide steps that overcome the challenging topography, makes garden access easy. The external pocket doors fully disappear into the walls, creating unobstructed openings that seamlessly integrate the indoors with the outdoors, completely transforming what were once rooms with small windows that felt disconnected from the garden. 

The project appeared in the RIBA Residential Directory 25/26 (page 128).

Photography: Gautier Houba