COURTYARD GARDEN HOUSE, LEYTON

Innovative budget-conscious extension with internal garden

Nestled between a row of houses and a church, this home is occupied by a family that cherish their garden. Keeping this in mind, the extension has been designed to provide views of greenery from every corner. 

Unusually, rather than maximising the internal floor space, some of the area was used to create a courtyard garden, which brings nature directly to the heart of the family space. The lush main garden at the rear is framed by a picture window, complete with a seat for relaxation. 

The kitchen serves as the connecting point, with the dining area situated between the garden window and the inner courtyard. On the opposite side of the small courtyard are the workspace and reception room. This layout harmoniously combines openness with moments of privacy. Externally, black brick and charred timber complement the colour palette of the green plants in the garden, the red brick of the adjacent church and the crisp white render of the main house. This choice of materials distinguishes the  elements from the old while maintaining a sense of harmony. These materials also continue into the interior, emphasising the theme of connecting the outdoors with the inside.

The project was selected as a feature project in the RIBA London Directory 25 (pages 110-113, and page spread 98-99), the RIBA Residential Directory 25/26 (page spread 124-125).

Photography: Gautier Houba