The Property
A grade II listed Captain's House in Greenwich has been renovated, restored and extended into a stunning modern home (opens in new tab).
Located in one of the oldest parts of Blackheath, Shooter’s Hill, the 1830’s house was more than a little faded, and in many ways unsuited to modern family life.
Some of the house’s original charm had faded – but through sensitive attention to detail, and modernising while still honouring original features the designers have given this home a new lease of life.
The homeowners brought on Matthew Giles Architects (opens in new tab) to oversee the whole project, which took a year from start to finish. The architects reconfigured the whole ground floor, and created new living spaces by adding on a double height side extension (opens in new tab). A new rear extension (opens in new tab) is now home to a sweeping open plan kitchen and dining space that unfolds into the garden.
Entrance
The whole ground floor layout has been reshuffled, with the left side of the house now featuring two generously sized living rooms, and the right side now housing a double height side return with a sky light. The kitchen has been moved to the back of the house in the new rear extension (opens in new tab), with the hallway leading directly to it.
See Also: A small Victorian terrace has been tastefully extended into a modern family home (opens in new tab)
Matthew Giles Architects have made the most of the voluminous shell of the 1830’s home – above the main stair, light streams in from a high level punched opening.
Internally, there is a marked contrast to the house’s former condition where a dark internal hallway linked disjointed living spaces. The entrance now features a generous lobby area that directs the eye from the front of the property towards the sanctuary of the rear garden. The architects also carved out extra space for a laundry room (opens in new tab), utility room and pantry (opens in new tab).
Side extension
A new side extension now features a modern staircase (opens in new tab) leading down to basement (opens in new tab) level. Featuring white stuccowork and architrave detailing that is sympathetic to the style of the main façade, the new side extension (opens in new tab) is also positioned so as to give the original structure more dominance.
The staircase (opens in new tab) feels modern and light.
See Also: Explore a renovated and extended Victorian townhouse in Holland Park
Rear extension
A large, white kitchen (opens in new tab) sits at the back of the house, with views out to the garden.
The modern kitchen island (opens in new tab) is marble topped, with the marble running down the sides too in a waterfall effect.
The kitchen island pendant lighting (opens in new tab) lightens the mood with playful bubble shapes.
Full height glazing is capped by zinc profiles to create a highly transparent element. The glazing allows the space to be flooded with natural light despite that the extension is north-facing.
Sky lights add further light to this kitchen.
Floor lamps were found to match the ceiling pendants.
Double living room
A new parquet floor flows between the two generous living rooms. The generous proportions feel modern, but millwork and traditional windows honour the property's heritage.
Powder loo
There's a small downstairs loo (opens in new tab) too, with space-saving wall-mounted taps and a petite basin.
Master ensuite
The renovation work continued upstairs, with colours and materials that complement the ground floor living spaces. A rich palette of materials has been introduced that creates a lively contrast between rooms.
Kids' rooms
The kids' bedrooms (opens in new tab) each feature playful details, for example paint effects (painting with tape (opens in new tab) to introduce bold colour beneath dado height), bold lighting, colourful radiators and patterned wallpaper.
Kids' bathroom
The pink bathroom (opens in new tab) is topped by a large heritage rooflight and features pink tiles that reflect the passing motion of the sky.
Garden
A tension cable guarding to the upper terrace and stairs down into the basement are a whimsical nod to the nautical heritage of the area.
Natural stone steps spill onto the lower terrace and the planted garden, beyond which, a raised height boundary wall heightens the sense of privacy and enclosure.
The home has been insulated for improved thermal efficiency and in order to reduce the impact on the environment. Glazing has also been refurbished as part of the designs, with new highly insulated sealed double-glazed units that have solar reflective coatings to help combat overheating issues.
Architects: Matthew Giles Architects
Civil/ Structural Engineer: Timothy George
Contractors: Olmek Ltd.
Interior Designer: My-Studio
Glazier: L2i Aluminium Ltd.
Photography Credits: Logan Irvine Macdougall
See Also: A sustainable, eco townhouse with a light palette and sculptural interiors (opens in new tab)