Southfields

Extension and refurbishment of a five bedroom end-terrace family home in Wandsworth, SW18. The project involved the retention of many original features and materials, complemented by a pared-back contemporary extension.

Host completed the architecture and interior design, including the detailed-design of the bespoke kitchen which includes an integrated English Elm table-top.

This Southfields project involved the careful refurbishment and extension of a distinctive end-of-terrace Victorian house, with a focus on improving space, light and everyday family living. The existing house had generous character, but the layout no longer worked as well as it could for modern use, particularly at ground floor level where the kitchen and living spaces felt disconnected from the garden.

A key move was to lower the floor level of the kitchen extension. This created a greater sense of volume and generosity within the new space, while also improving privacy from neighbouring properties. Rather than simply extending outwards, the design uses section and level changes to make the house feel more spacious, calm and considered.

The rear of the house has been reworked to create a better connection between cooking, dining, entertaining and garden life. The new layout supports the rhythm of a busy family home, with spaces that can work equally well for day-to-day routines, relaxed weekends and larger gatherings.

At upper levels, the house was reconfigured to make better use of the existing footprint, alongside a loft extension to provide additional accommodation. The aim was to unlock more usable space without losing the character and proportion of the original Victorian house.

As an end-of-terrace property, the house offered more opportunities than a typical mid-terrace, but also required a careful response to overlooking, privacy, daylight and neighbouring context. The design balances these constraints with a clear ambition to make the home feel brighter, more open and more enjoyable to live in.

The project combines practical improvements with a more subtle architectural approach. New interventions are designed to sit comfortably with the existing house, while giving the family a more generous, flowing and flexible home for the long term.