Riverside Gardens

The house is typical of the interwar suburban development built around the periphery of London for the emerging middle classes. Known as ‘Little Palaces’, these homes were available for private sale at a modest price to enable homeownership for greater numbers and a wider demographic.

Over the years, these houses have been reconfigured extensively, contributing to a visually cluttered suburban environment. 3 Riverside Gardens readdresses the balance and through a well-executed design, recreates the notion of the ‘Little Palace’.

The dwelling has been extended at the ground floor and a new loft extension constructed at roof level. The house was completely stripped back to the original brickwork with new services, surfaces and finishes applied throughout. The ground floor comprises an open-plan arrangement providing space to relax, play games and entertain. Bi-fold doors provide access to a raised garden deck to allow a seamless connection to the garden.

The timber rafters are exposed and are accentuated by concealed LED strip lighting. Externally blackened charred timber has been installed over the walls and roof of the extension to provide a homogenous surface wrap.

The original pebbledash has been removed and a new breathable silicone render system applied to the first-floor elevation. A terrazzo tiled bathroom has been fitted and the bedrooms fully refurbished. A new staircase provides access to the loft room with full height maple spindles at the stair edge to accentuate the scale and verticality of the hallway