Barnsbury House

Information

Our client, a professional couple, approached us after purchasing their first house together in Islington, seeking to extend and transform their new home. The property, a 4 storey terraced Victorian townhouse was un-modernised in over 40 years.

The existing house is characterised by a narrow, 4.3m wide floorplate with a single room at the front and rear on each floor, typical of this type of building. The kitchen was housed in the lower ground floor, an especially dark space with low ceilings, disconnected from the garden and upper living spaces.

Our proposal includes extensions to the rear of the house at lower ground and raised ground floors. A portion of the raised ground floor is removed to carve out a double height void linking this floor with the lower ground floor below. This unlocks new connections between the 2 spaces, increases natural daylight penetration to the North facing rear portion of the lower ground floor and facilitates better passive cross ventilation (utilising the principles of the stack effect).

The extension is constructed from a sustainable glulaminated (Chestnut) timber structure, expressed internally at lower ground floor with matching chestnut panelling. Externally, pale brick and stone contrast the existing London Stock.

Works also include lowering the floor level in the lower ground floor, a full internal refurbishment throughout as well as upgrading thermal insulation and air tightness to external walls and roof.

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Development

Client Testimonial

“We engaged MATA to design and obtain planning permission for a full scale transformation of our home, including extension and total refurbishment.

Right from the initial conversation, Dan and his team displayed a sensitivity for and understanding of what we wanted to achieve, while bringing their own unique vision to the project.

They provided open dialogue, always being willing to accommodate our requirements and listening to what we wanted, while also guiding us with their expert knowledge.

The planning permission stage could not have been smoother: it was approved on first review without a single revision to the ambitious design – a testament to the thorough preparation and thought that MATA put into the application.

Dan and the team were a delight to deal with throughout and made the whole process seamless. We would thoroughly recommend MATA and would not hesitate to work again with them on any future project.”

— Katherine & Shaun