Barnsbury House

This project is a Grade II listed house extension and refurbishment in Barnsbury, London N1. Architecture for London reconfigured and extended this townhouse to create a light-filled family home, centred on a new lower-ground floor kitchen and a metal-framed rear extension.

“Rooms snug and light — not overlarge but neat…Where everything looks elegant and chaste…” Barnsbury, as described in ‘Travels Through an Unwrecked Landscape’.

This Georgian house was refurbished and extended for an art historian and a museum curator, with a focus on making a compact London property work for both family life and entertaining. The building is situated in the Barnsbury Conservation Area.

Design Concept

The clients’ brief called for interiors that blend contemporary design with classic details. Our response was a scheme inspired by Jim Ede’s approach at Kettle’s Yard, combining modern and antique furniture, fittings, finishes and objects.
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The interior spaces are designed as places to entertain, raise a family, think, read, and write.

Lower Ground Floor Kitchen

The lower ground floor was formerly a dark space with a convoluted kitchen layout. It is now a light-filled, multi-functional family room, with brick tile floors inspired by Kettle’s Yard. Historic soot-stained fireplaces have been revealed and celebrated, and the original timber joists in the ceiling are exposed.

The bespoke kitchen is designed as the heart of the house. It features Carrara marble work surfaces, English oak cabinet fronts in a textured sawn finish, and internal carcasses lined in a heritage-red painted timber.

The original front and side vaults have been converted into top-lit storage and utility spaces, improving functionality without altering the external appearance. A modest side extension at lower ground floor accommodates a shower room and pantry, adding useful amenity to the compact plan.

Study and guest Bedroom

In the rear room at half-landing level, bespoke joinery creates a compact study and guest bedroom. A linoleum-topped desk provides a quiet place to work, read and write. A concealed bed offers flexible guest accommodation when required. The bay window is fitted with a window seat that offers views of the garden and creates a comfortable reading nook.

Rear Extension and Garden

The existing rear conservatory was replaced with a contemporary metal-framed extension with high-performance double glazing, providing a more thermally efficient envelope. Reclaimed finishes were used throughout the garden, including stone for the rear patio and bricks for the new boundary wall.

Sustainability

The original rear outrigger was insulated internally to improve thermal performance, while preserving the external appearance, as required by the conservation area.

Interior Design

The interior design combines mid-century furniture with the historic fabric of the Georgian townhouse. Pieces by Hans Wegner, Aalto, Ercol and Hay are featured throughout the refurbished house.

At the centre of the lower ground floor, Wegner’s soap-washed oak dining table and chairs sit in front of an original fireplace with characterful soot-stained bricks. Lighting is by Akari and Gubi.

The result is a Barnsbury house extension and refurbishment that feels both contemporary and timeless, with interiors that can evolve as the family and their collection of objects grow.

If you’re seeking Barnsbury architects for a residential refurbishment or a Grade II listed house extension, contact Architecture for London to discuss your project.

Project Details

Project Architects:
Amrit Marway and Ben Ridley

Featured:
Remodelista
Building Design
Divisare
URDesign
ArchitectureLab

Location:
Thornhill Grove, London N1

Project Type:
Listed house extension and refurbishment

Structural Engineer:
Architecture for London

Photography:
Nick Dearden