Notting Hill architects

Architecture for London has gained planning consent for alterations to a flat in Notting Hill

The property is a lower ground floor flat converted from a large Victorian house on Kensington Park Road.

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The flat requires an extension to create a third bedroom, so that it is better suited for a growing family. The new bedroom is proposed in the space to the front of the property at semi basement level, accessed via the original vaults.

The semi basement approach drops the new bedroom slightly below the existing lower ground floor level, reducing the impact of the extension when viewed from the street. This approach importantly creates new internal space that can be naturally lit and ventilated, something that is often difficult to achieve on a lower ground flat containing three bedrooms in addition to a reception room.

The kitchen is redesigned and relocated to better connect it to the reception room. Sliding doors allow the kitchen to be concealed as required. This move allows space for a new utility and much needed additional storage in the kitchen’s previous position in the original vault.

A basement extension to the rear was avoided due to the cost implications of difficult access, and the significant new steel structure and underpinning that would be required to bear the load of the four storeys above.

The property is in the Ladbroke conservation area, a largely residential area in the north of the borough.

Project architects: Ben Ridley, Matt McKenna

Location: Kensington Park Road, Notting Hill W11

Visit the Architecture for London residential projects page to view our completed homes in Kensington and Chelsea.