connected spaces and reclaimed materials revamp [Y/N] studio's victorian london home

[y/n] studio revamps victorian home in hackney, london

Reinventing a historical structure while retaining its traditional character, [Y/N] Studio has completed a reconfiguration of the lower ground floor of a Victorian home in London, UK. Deviating from prevailing trends towards open-plan white spaces and boxy extensions, the architects pursued a more nuanced approach which responds to the clients’ particular tastes and interests, notably their love for early-20th-century paintings of domestic interiors.

The material and color palette are curated to infuse warmth into the home with a key focus on sustainability, making use of both light and deep tones, and reclaimed wood and marble across surfaces. As a result, ‘Green House’ is shaped by a series of intimately connected spaces which offer both privacy and open spaces for communal living, as well as a freshly re-landscaped garden hosting a range of biodiversity.

all images © Lorenzo Zandri

‘green house’ integrates warm tones and biodiversity

London-based architecture practice [Y/N] Studio completes ‘Green House’ by restructuring the previous layout which had divided the front and back of the Hackney home while neglecting the garden, to create a sense of connectivity and openness infused with light and warmth. A new glazed study offers privacy and open views into the south-facing garden which has been re-landscaped and planted for vibrant color and scent to promote biodiversity. At the rear, a new glass house in the form of a lean-to accommodates a bright dining space with a mono pitched roof that reflects that of the distinctive butterfly roofs of the terrace. This space sits adjacent to a large, L-shaped kitchen which takes advantage of the full width of the house and offers views from back to front gardens through its now uninterrupted length.

Stepping inside, [Y/N] Studio introduces pattern and texture into the interior design utilizing a sustainable material palette. A reclaimed parquet floor salvaged from a school sports hall provides character and a lasting, high-quality finish, meanwhile the kitchen worktop is formed from 70% reclaimed materials, hand-marbled to create unique surface patterns. In the glass house a timber terrazzo floor reusing waste wood introduces a sense of playfulness and warmth, whilst harmonizing with the oak frame.

a new glass house in the form of a lean-to accommodates a bright dining with a mono pitched roof

Drawing inspiration from an antique Welsh dresser, the oak timber frame of the glass house is formed into a wall of shelving for display and storage. Externally, the frame introduces a splash of green painted aluminium to differentiate the new glass house from the more traditional spaces inside. Further, the material and colour palette were influenced by the clients’ love for early-20th-century paintings of domestic interiors, embracing deep hues in the circulation spaces and kitchen and opening up to lighter natural oak in the glass house.

The design process was carried out in close collaboration between [Y/N] Studio and the client, a building conservationist.‘Green House proves that a collaboration between architect and client can lead to an outcome which might have been unimaginable to either party at the beginning of the design process yet is all the more powerful as a result,’ note the architects.

this roof reflects that of the distinctive butterfly roofs of the terrace

lighter natural oak in the glass house forms a connection with the garden’s greenery

a mix of deep hues and natural tones inspired by early-20th-century paintings of domestic interiors

L-shaped kitchen enjoys views of both the back and front gardens through its uninterrupted length

a reclaimed parquet floor salvaged from a school sports hall

a subtle material palette for warmth and openness

[Y/N] Studio reconfigures the ground floor of ‘Green House’ in Hackney

project info:

name: Green House
architecture: [Y/N] Studio
location: Hackney, London, UK

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edited by: ravail khan | designboom