Canonbury House Extension

This Canonbury house extension frames specific views of the garden as ‘scenes’.

The garden is glimpsed from the kitchen and from built-in reading benches, yet it is only fully revealed from the central dining area. Frameless glazing gives a further view to a planted courtyard, creating a dual aspect and providing additional natural light.

Internal finishes in the rear extension include a pale pink brick with precast concrete lintels and a polished concrete floor. Unpainted lime plaster provides a subtle texture to internal walls.

The generous width of the plot allows the kitchen, dining and living spaces to be arranged laterally, each with a unique view of the garden. Deep brick piers and lintels above create a play of shadows internally. The simple geometric language of piers and lintels is inspired by the earliest forms of architecture, from Stonehenge to the temples of ancient Greece.

The existing spaces of the house are to be refurbished and reorganised. The thermal performance of the building is improved through increased airtightness and internal wood-fibre insulation. An air source heat pump and mechanical ventilation heat recovery system (MVHR) will further reduce energy demand for space heating and hot water.

For sustainable transport, the project provides a dedicated bike store and an electric car charging point.

Project Architect:
Becky Wootton

Location:
Highbury New Park, Canonbury N5