Hewer Street

Deep retrofit of a mid-terrace house in a London Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Conservation Area.

The property had previously been divided into two flats. The project brought the building back into use as a single family home, with a full internal reconfiguration to make better use of the compact plan and improve light, flow and day-to-day living.

A new double-height volume was formed around the stair, creating a greater sense of space within the narrow footprint. A bespoke plywood stair, matching feature doors and carefully detailed joinery bring warmth and character to the interior, while keeping the material palette simple and robust.

The retrofit strategy focused on upgrading the existing building fabric from the inside. Internal exposed cork insulation was used to improve thermal performance while adding texture and depth to the rooms. Cork flooring continues this approach, providing a natural, low-impact finish with a warm and tactile quality underfoot.

The house was also upgraded with modern low-energy systems, including MVHR and an air source heat pump. These work alongside the improved building fabric to reduce energy use, improve comfort and support a healthier internal environment.

Within the constraints of a conservation area, the project shows how a modest existing house can be carefully reworked rather than replaced. The result is a compact, efficient and characterful home that combines sensitive retrofit, natural materials and a more generous internal layout.