Establishing a spectrum of spatial conditions on a site of just 175m2 is a challenge, and one that has defined the DNA of this project. The extension has been zoned into three north-south bands, establishing the main realms: communal, outdoor and private. Two east-west bands further divide each of these realms into two zones: generous and intimate. Chequering the plan in this way gives rise to a spectrum of conditions: communal/generous, communal/intimate, outdoor/generous, outdoor/intimate, private/generous, private/intimate.

These qualities are further reinforced by the ceiling plane: lofty and raked over the generous zones; low and flat over the intimate zones, where space is contained and bodily. This geometry is continuous across the length of the extension, with expressed beams, clerestory glazing and concrete pavers connecting the communal, outdoor and private realms in a single gesture. This has the effect of establishing the courtyard as an outdoor room, continuous with the adjacent indoor spaces. Colour further reinforces the idea, with a sunken lounge and sunken bathtub both rendered in warm yellow, connecting them across the garden.

Given the small size of the site, concerns of ‘separation’ and ‘connection’ are key. Breeze-block walls demarcate the various zones of the house, yet permit light, breeze and glimpse views. Similarly, north facing clerestory windows permit abundant light while their obscure glazing conceals views of the neighbouring two storey house that would otherwise loom over the property.

We live in our whole house now, inside and out. Before, there were whole rooms of the house we barely entered – now, the house feels like a single continuous space, every corner of which has both purpose and beauty. We gave the team at Aa a handful of loose bits of inspo and disconnected thoughts, and they have made something that feels so specific to us that it’s like we dreamed it into existence.

Sophie and Virginia