The Brockley House, Brockley, London

Situated in a prominent conservation area, this handsome detached Victorian double-fronted house was in need of modernisation and extension. The brief was to fully refurbish the house, to reveal a set of creative spaces that could be wholly enjoyed by everyone in the family: adults and children.

An extension provides a home working area for the children, as well as the local home educated community: the spaces were designed to foster learning and growth, and to encourage play and creativity. The rear and side extension were clad in a larch that weathers over time, with a sedum roof providing a green outlook from the first floor bedrooms, such visible change and weathering echoing the constant change going on inside a busy family home. It also honours the changes the house has seen since its build in the late 1880's and acknowledges that we are only ever custodians of these constantly moving, ever-changing historical buildings.

The new spaces all flow into one another, and then on into the garden: this fluidity in the space juxtaposing beautifully with hidden corners, providing moments in each area to read, socialise, relax and create. We love designing for families, and a brief that focuses on the growing children's ownership of their home is particularly interesting. The lateral spaces are emphasised through framed views across the house, inviting exploration and rewarding curiosity. New openings were arched to echo the original arched entrance ways, and to reveal new views and hidden spaces, such as the utility room and workshop in the new side extension.

The clients are both from creative backgrounds and attention to detail in the use of materials was particularly important. The design enhances the geometry and flamboyance of the existing period building, whilst the new elements of the building celebrate a high level of craftsmanship as was encapsulated within the original house. Surviving late Victorian hand-painted decoration was discovered in the walls during the strip-out stages, and was left exposed in places throughout the house, framed to visibly capture the history of the house here in its present. Original over-painted plaster mouldings were cleaned back to reveal their character, while other surviving features were repaired and restored.

Our environmental approach to the design and specification of fixtures and fittings is to use as many locally sourced and low carbon products as possible. Where appropriate, materials were reclaimed, and original materials and details from the existing building were re-purposed into the new design.

Fraser & Findlay provided a full design/architectural service for this project.