a kitchen in the woods

This home extension is all about creating smart design in a sensitive and ecologically sympathetic way.

The modernist house sits in a small oasis of protected woodland within the Dulwich Estate which is a conservation area in south London. The family wanted to add a fourth bedroom to the house, but they couldn’t extend upward due to the constraints of living in a conservation area. They also sought to relocate the kitchen – where they spent most of their family time – from the front to the rear, embracing the view of the adjacent woods. The family spends lots of time relaxing in the garden, so the new space had to easily extend into an outdoor kitchen.

It was paramount for the extension to have a light ecological impact that would avoid disturbing the garden’s abundant wildlife, including foxes, squirrels, birds, and bats. The structure was designed as a simple rectangular form that subtly extends from the existing home into the forested surroundings.