Location Medway Conservation Area, East London
Start on site June 2019
Completion date February 2020
Area 144 sqm

The Naked House; retrofit and extension of a four-bedroom Victorian London terrace, exploring the honest expression of materials.

Andrew Long, 2020

“Whittaker Parsons challenged our assumptions and suggested novel approaches and materials. Our home is now a wonderful family space with continuous, open, naturally lit spaces. They’ve helped us add immeasurable value to our family life."

Photography Jim Stephenson
Structural Engineer: SD Structures
Contractor: Magic Projects

The existing spaces in the terraced house were enclosed, cluttered and disjointed. The property was uninsulated and the owners needed a new master suite, built-in storage and a new kitchen.

Photography Jim Stephenson
Structural Engineer: SD Structures
Contractor: Magic Projects

Being one of the first mansard roof extensions in the conservation area, the external form and details were in keeping with the areas planning policies. Internally, the full volume of the roof extension provides a bamboo and cork-lined bedroom and ensuite shower room.

On the ground floor the side return extension blurs the threshold between interior and exterior space, with the expressed cantilevering steel structure becoming a focal point for the kitchen and doubling up as a useful shelf.

Photography Jim Stephenson
Structural Engineer: SD Structures
Contractor: Magic Projects

We were interested in lean, efficient construction, specifying materials which were self-finished, long-lasting and durable; ideal to withstand the pressures of family life.  For example, we specified glazed bricks within the exposed brickwork wall forming the kitchen splashback, where others typically specify tiles on blockwork.

Photography Jim Stephenson
Structural Engineer: SD Structures
Contractor: Magic Projects