Architect Neil Dusheiko has refurbished a typical Victorian house for his father-in-law, near his home in north London. The design adds a new light filled side extension at ground floor level and a new loft bedroom and bathroom above where there was previously unused roof space. A large open plan living space was created by opening up the front and rear reception rooms, providing ample display space for the owner’s extensive art collection. A fully glazed skylight to the side extension allows for increased light levels and improved connections between the spaces linking the front of the house to the rear garden.
“My wife wanted her father to be closer to us so we could easily pop in and out of each others homes,” explained the architect. “We found a house in the road parallel to ours but it was a bit dark and damp. I wanted to make it into a light and airy home where my father-in-law could live comfortably and easily in a really beautiful space.”
A set of new stairs runs full width across the house marking the connection between the new and old rooms. Niches have been carved into the depth of the walls to allow for storage space and for sculptures to be displayed.
A calm material palette of reclaimed bricks and oak flooring gives a sense of warmth and texture to this home. The rich detailing gives a tactile scale to the new domestic spaces. A large glass pivoting door enables generous access to the garden. Built in seating in the kitchen provides an informal gathering space facing the garden. A framework of oak shelving and timber rafters gives structure to the new ground floor space providing further display space for art, ceramics and glassware pieces under a bright sun filled fully glazed skylight.
“We wanted the house to feel light and to be comfortable and modern but at the same time to be very personal,” said Dusheiko. “By designing the house around all of my father-in-law’s beautiful things, I hoped to make the move from the old family home a little easier. My wife and I and our daughter are always in and out of the house and every time I visit there’s another picture up or another ceramic dish on the shelves.”
all images courtesy of Neil Dusheiko