This Norwood property is a photography and art studio in South London that the client needs to expand to accommodate their growing business.
The current layout is dramatically split between light and dark. The ground floor has little natural light and is home to the dark room and printing equipment whilst the first floor is flooded with light with an open plan kitchen and office. This leaves very little room for storage and wall space to pin up and reflect on artworks so we were required to develop a scheme that can give them the extra area required.
As the property has no garden the only option to extend is upwards. The proposed development adds an intermediate space between the lower, dark floor and the upper, light floor. This level would house the photographer’s archives, additional storage and the pottery studio. From this the top floor gains an outdoor terrace where the client can relax and, as an avid gardener, tend to a potted garden.
The design aims to retain the charm of the original exterior and interior space whilst making it fit for purpose. The construction of the new floor follows the existing brick and incorporates a glass façade that will continue to allow the light in as the existing conservatory did. Extending details like the antique wrought iron spiral staircase to the new floor and keeping the beams of the pitched roof exposed as they are in the property’s current iteration keeps the feel of the space while adding much needed functionality.
Norwood Studio / London
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Victoria Residence / London, UK
Kensington High Street / London, UK