Dulwich House

A complete refurbishment and extension project, the design is about defining a new seasonal relationship between home and garden that exploits the amazing elevated park views and wonderful South westerly sunlight.

Environmentally the new elements are heavily insulated and key parts of the existing fabric re-lined. An ASHP provides heating for the building through efficient UFH and new radiators. Energy use has been recorded as 13500kwh for the first year. Which, with 262m2 GIA, is 51.5kWh/m2/yr, well below the RIBA 2025 target of 60kWh/m2/yr. 

The ground floor is reconfigured and extended to provide a series of ‘broken-plan’ family spaces whose architecture is defined with a series of monumental columns and beams. Three sequential spaces are created, a back kitchen and boot room, a kitchen and dining zone, and a living space, all connected to a 5m deep terrace through a variety of glazed openings, shaded by the fair-faced concrete full-width lintel above. Sectionally the rear of the house is lowered two steps to create generous ceiling height and to ease the connection with the large sloped 52m rear garden.

Externally materials are robust for longevity and the construction expressed. Concrete retaining walls and palatial steps re-define sectional access to the sloped lawn. The monumental columns have deep reveals, with storage nooks, and soft corners finished in a lightly pigmented 3mm micro-topping plaster. The three glazed elements are set back from the concrete lintel above for shade. Shading is further offered with inset awning locations discretely incorporated in the lintel detail.

Internally the whole house was refurbished with assorted levels of intervention. A new oak lined kitchen (designed by Proctor & Shaw) is centred around a large thick set concrete island. A 'back-kitchen' is tucked away around the corner with a hidden frameless door to the new utility room. A new dark blue panelled hallway and oak lined staircase, with curved oak balustrade, unlocks loft space whilst bringing grandness to the circulation core. Bedrooms were minimally altered with budget prioritised for new bathrooms. The master ensuite is finished in monolithic pink micro-topping with a pink concrete double sink and oak cabinetry, "a really cheerful place to start the day!" (client).

"This is a beautiful, well-crafted scheme with a strong commitment to reducing the buildings' operation carbon emissions, all achieved on a relatively limited budget." British Homes Awards Judging comment.