An 1870 Townhouse From London Gets A Modern Glass Extension
Sometimes when a building is very old, the owners choose to preserve certain elements intact in order to maintain some of the old charm. Other times, major changes are made and what was once an old but outdated building becomes a modern space. It’s the case of this townhouse.
Located in London, the townhouse was originally built in 1870 and for several years it has been neglected and it became a ruin. Its current owners decided to give it a drastic makeover. The 5-story structure became a modern family home. In 2011 it got a glass extension that definitely gives it a contemporary allure. So the house went through an extensive renovation for the first time since the 80s.
All five floors have been refurbished and redecorated but the most interesting element is the double-height glass extension at the back. It includes a balcony and a staircase that leads to the garden. On the lower level there’s a media/ game room, a utility room and a bathroom.
The upper part of the structure includes the kitchen, dining room and living room. Lots of natural light gets in through the glass walls but also through the ceiling, which is basically a large skylight. The color palette chosen for the extension is neutral and includes shades of gray combined with white and a few colored touches here and there.All of them done by Giles Pike Architects.