Bonner Street - Enhancing the figure of a house with a lantern

Rather it explores the pragmatic and poetic possibilities of architecture through the treatment of elemental things such as natural light, ventilation and a well-articulated façade to radically improve a unique, mid-19th century building located in East London. Prior to being converted into a single bedroom house, this standalone building formed part of a high street serving as a sweetshop, mini-cab office and tanning salon. The project alters an unsightly lean-to (originally built to house the tanning salon showers) that transforms the spatial and environmental qualities of existing internal spaces and the external appearance of the house. A new timber frame clerestory lantern is perched atop the old walls creating a characterful shoulder for the building. A dark, rough rendered plinth unifies previously separate elements. The lantern’s façade is composed from solid timber panels and glazing to flood the ground floor with natural light. An opening panel naturally ventilates the space. External insulation improves comfort. Delicate timber columns painted in accents of colour march in pairs across the new façade. This miniature frieze makes a little gift of architecture to the area that can be seen from as far away as Roman Road. The previously cramped and dark ground floor was opened up to create an airy kitchen and dining room. The fine-grain structure of the ceiling is left exposed. A new insulated and heated floor is tiled in hand cut terracotta. A salvaged terrazzo doorstep marks the threshold. A combination of new and old pieces were brought together to make a convivial house; characterful furniture combines with a freestanding stainless steel kitchen; Gentle finishes to the walls, ceilings and joinery combine with diffuse natural light to create a comfortable and calming internal atmosphere.