Eucalyptus House
location
Lambeth Council
Conservation Area
Trinity Gardens Conservation Area
Construction Cost
£400,000
Area
120 sqm (added 20 sqm)
This home is a space designed for all seasons, with the building’s history and the client’s own story interwoven throughout.
testimonial
‘Working with Julia and the team was an absolute delight. From our very first meeting I felt confident that my vision was understood and would be realised. Throughout the project, I felt a great sense of collaboration: my opinions and ideas were always welcomed, discussed, clarified, and occasionally challenged to ensure that every decision and every outcome was optimised. The design and planning period was fun, despite an initial objection to our planning application, which was swiftly and successfully dealt with by the 4SA team. The actual build was surprisingly painless, the 4SA team took care of everything: provided regular updates, came to me in a timely manner when something required my input, but otherwise took care of everything, and maintained a positive working relationship with our contractor throughout. And the results are a dream come true: I could not be happier with my beautiful kitchen extension which still makes me happy every single day.’ - Natalie
heritage response
Set down a quiet hidden pathway of Victorian mews houses, the scheme secured full planning permission in the Trinity Gardens Conservation Area through a design that responded carefully to its heritage setting. Julia Hamson, our RIBA accredited Conservation Architect, took her cue from aged copper Victorian glasshouses, pairing a lightweight green glazed infill with a solid rear volume in a pale buff brick chosen as a tonally lighter companion to the existing London stock. Roof angles mirror those of the host building, and the glazed infill is held visually subservient so the rhythm of solid and void along the run of mews houses is protected. Read more about our planning journey here.
VALUE ADDED
We managed every site query and unexpected discovery on our client's behalf, taking the burden of time consuming site management and worry out of her hands. The mature eucalyptus tree that our client loves was preserved through specially designed deep foundations and a hand excavation monitoring brief, coordinated with specialist engineers to ensure no large roots were severed. The tree is now viewed from the dining space through the new glazing above, or in a framed view through the kitchen door.
SUSTAINABILITY
Breathable wood fibre insulation and lime render were applied throughout the existing masonry walls to improve thermal performance without trapping moisture. Historically accurate double glazed timber sash windows replaced the originals, and a subsequent consent secured eight roof-mounted photovoltaic panels.