Waghorn Street

Emil Eve’s extension and refurbishment of this four-bed house delivers spaces which feel intimate yet expansive, with bespoke fittings throughout designed by the architects. Sustainable douglas fir is used for the structure, joinery and exterior cladding, creating a cohesive palette inside and out. The project was designed for a young couple who wanted a home that felt relaxed but functional. The design opens up the house while still keeping the feeling of distinct, separate spaces with their own identity. A piano room leads through a small inset courtyard to the generous kitchen and dining space, housed in a new extension which is splayed to take advantage of solar orientation and connection to the rear garden. Tall glazed doors and deep-framed timber windows allow maximum daylight to be pulled into the internal spaces and create defined views through and across the ground floor and gardens. In the courtyard, a concealed mirror between cladding slats visibly extends the exterior space and reflects light deep into the plan. The project celebrates the warmth and unique variation of natural materials. Breathable lime plaster walls give a soft texture to the changing light throughout the day, and earthy terracotta tiles in the back garden complement the colour and grain of the douglas fir. Despite its domestic scale, the project delivers impactful architecture through the elevation of simple materials and traditional craft and a pragmatic approach to sustainability. A focus on low embodied carbon and breathable construction guided material choices - including the wood fibre insulation and timber sourced from within the UK. Close collaboration between the architects, engineer and builder allowed for refined detailing through a shared enjoyment of traditional timber craft.