Books and a modest budget are accommodated in a domestic extension by Nimtim Architects
The Hive House is a “simple but effective stepped rear extension for our sociable, book-loving clients, in a shared vision to create something unpretentious but materially and spatially rich”, according to Nimtim Architects. The limited budget informed the design of both the structure and materials in the project, which aimed to create a light-filled addition that would have a transformative effect on everyday family life.
The extension, to an Edwardian terrace house in south London, is stepped in plan, partly to correspond with existing extensions on either side, and partly to reduce its overall impact on the neighbouring properties. The project combines the existing rear living room and kitchen with the new additional area to provide kitchen, dining and living areas, each subtly defined within the larger space. A timber structure of exposed structural plywood was used, rather than more costly steelwork, and this also provides exposed internal storage. The lightweight timber grid was then enclosed in a skin of red brick to provide external cladding and robustness where required.
The bricks are laid in a stack bond with a light, recessed mortar intended to accentuate the geometry and reference the structural timber grid internally. The front elevation of the existing house had some facing bricks at ground-floor level which the architect was keen to reiterate in the new addition at the rear. “The chosen red facing bricks were a good match with a consistent tone and colour, and they provided a richness and warmth that contrasted nicely with the more austere tones of the plywood and concrete floor”, says the architect.
“We specified a stack bond to reference the internal grid of plywood structure. This bond also emphasised the quite small areas of brickwork on the rear elevation. We wrapped the bricks down onto the patio floor giving the whole composition a more graphic feel. We chose a light, natural lime mortar with a flush joint to emphasise the stack bond. We couldn’t wait for specials to be made so our fantastic contractor mitred the corner bricks on site so we could have consistency at the corners”.
The objective was to allow each element of the house “to be what it wanted to be”, so doors and windows are a simple dark grey aluminium frame, the fascias above are patinated lead over external plywood, and the floor and worktops are cast in concrete. Kitchen fronts and storage are formed in structural ply to match the exposed structure. The result is a light-filled family living space, of which the client says “we love it so much – it’s like Nimtim took what was in our brains and interpreted it perfectly – with some added extras we wouldn’t have thought of!”
Additional Images
