Islington Stone House

This Grade II listed villa in the Barnsbury Conservation Area, Islington, was extended and refurbished to create a home with generous spaces for family life, both for gathering and for quiet contemplation.

The project includes a new rear extension, a reconfigured lower ground floor kitchen, a new master suite and a redesigned garden.

“From the first rough drawing to the completion of the project, AFL’s creative and vibrant expertise has been exceptional.” – Mike and Judith, Islington

Stone Rear Extension

The new extension accommodates a dining room and a secluded contemplative space for yoga. The yoga room is illuminated by a generous rooflight that frames an expansive view of the sky, inspired by James Turrell’s skyspace structures.

Externally, the rear extension is designed as a stone pavilion. Agglomerate terrazzo forms a robust plinth upon which limestone piers rise to create the structure of the extension. The natural stone blocks were locally sourced and selected for their low embodied energy.
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Heavy oak-framed glazing follows the proportions of the historic facade with a large pivot-hinged door opening onto the terrace. An oversized concrete header was honed to reveal limestone quarried in Derbyshire, its visual weight suggesting permanence.

Lower Ground Floor Kitchen

Previously, the lower ground floor was divided into smaller dark rooms. These have been opened up and reconfigured to form a bright kitchen centred around a four-metre-long stone island.

The kitchen combines bespoke oak joinery with terrazzo worktops. The large island, bar stools and an integrated terrazzo bench create a generous social space for cooking, eating and entertaining, which was a key part of the client’s brief.

Garden Design

The existing rear lightwell has been extended to form a stepped, sunken terrace of bush‑hammered stone, appearing as if carved into a rock face. The terrace curves to follow the sun’s path throughout the afternoon, creating a series of stone benches bathed in light.

Bathrooms

The bathrooms continue the notion of carved-out spaces. The rich interior textures of limestone and Tadelakt walls create cave-like monastic rooms dedicated to the daily rituals of ablution.

Bespoke Fabrication

Architecture for London fabricated a series of bespoke concrete elements for the project in our workshop, including bathroom basins and fireplace hearths. These custom pieces reinforce the material language of stone and concrete that runs throughout the extension and refurbished spaces.

If you’re planning a rear extension in Islington or a Grade II listed house refurbishment in London, contact Architecture for London to discuss your project. Our architects are experienced in working with listed buildings, conservation areas and complex planning constraints across Islington and wider London.

Project Information

Project Architect:
Amrit Marway

Featured:
Dezeen
DMI Award Longlist
New London Architecture
Building Design
URDesign

Location:
Hemingford Road, Islington, London N1

Structural Engineer:
Architecture for London

Size:
Internal area 290 m²

Photography:
Nick Dearden

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