Architectural practice Scenario has completed a rear extension to terrace house property in Chelsea, West London. Situated in a quiet residential street, this five-storey house in Chelsea required a complete renovation with the addition of a new underground gym. The challenge faced with the ambitious design was maintaining the existing ceiling heights throughout the basement and ground floors, whilst introducing multiple viewpoints around the home.
By utilising the space within the basement, Scenario was able to introduce a gym with lightwells providing natural light from above. The design integrated all these additions within the building’s historic fabric to provide a contemporary living environment.
The open-plan ground floor functions as the hub of the house. Extending the kitchen and dining area further into the rear garden provided generous space for large gatherings with a direct relationship to the garden. The rear extension was created with sliding doors and a glazed roof to provide natural light throughout the day, and to bring more light into the kitchen which was relocated to the centre of the downstairs space.
A second glazed extension was added to the ground floor which provided a reading nook with views into the garden and steps down to the basement. The upper floors are connected by a staircase weaving through the centre of the home, with glass balustrades allowing light to be drawn further into the rooms.
The master bedroom was created on the top floor of the house with views to the sky by opening up the roof tiles to allow for windows to run from ceiling to the existing window lintel.
