When a young couple who wanted to give their Victorian home a more contemporary look, they turned to Pensaer Studio for a 430-square-foot extension to the original structure. The London firm’s team took their clients requests into account before they got started: the pair wanted a design that was sophisticated, airy, and could also link out to their garden.
What was once a small kitchen with a low ceiling, tucked into the back of the house with no connection to the outdoors, has now become a 10-foot-long space that combines a kitchen, a dining room, and a living area, all with views of the surrounding shrubbery. The studio also found room for a new toilet with some extra square feet that were left over.
“The key was to try to design around very specific spaces to achieve the most efficient layout possible. We chose this route rather than creating larger open expanses that, while they would offer greater flexibility, would also take up more area. The result is a very defined set of intimate spaces that allowed almost all of the garden to be preserved,” explains Rhys Owen, founder of Pensaer.
The London studio, known for bringing together craftsmanship and architecture in designs that “cultivate joy,” made use of custom furniture for this extension. “The interior is designed to offer a sense of calm, sophistication, and warmth. The cozy feel of finishes like oak contrast with the polished concrete floor and the integrated woodwork elements encourage the connection between the home’s owners and the space. Beams transform into shelves, and then into seats, creating a continuous flow.” the studio says. Note the focus on organics that spreads beyond aesthetics—the project used materials that were free from chemicals and toxins to create a healthier living space.
