Transformation of a tired and dark Victorian ground floor flat into a bright and spacious home with contemporary touches of Japanese and Scandic design with new side, rear extension and garden studio clad in charred timber for a young couple.

The new interior layout allows a more generous entrance lobby with natural light and direct view through the property to the rear garden with the leaning tree. The rear extension forms the living space with long narrow slot windows to the sides to allow glimpses of the adjacent view, and crittal glazed doors for access and view to the garden. A stove sits at the end of the space drawing attention and conclusion to the continuous line of black cupboards that service the entire home. The new extension is clad in a lightly charred Siberian timber laid vertically, complimenting the black valchromat internal joinery.

On the side, a glazed extension frames the family dining table, flooding the space with natural light and views to the garden and inner tiled courtyard. And at the rear, a garden studio is added to provide a working space for the graphic designer client as well as provide an extra guest room.

The new studio, clad internally in plywood birch, and externally in charred timber conceals the unattractive garden of the back neighbour whilst providing a visual link to the main house. Reminiscent of Japanese gardens, the minimal outdoor space with an old leaning tree enveloped by the charred timber of the extensions, create a zen urban oasis that serves as an outdoor room between the two volumes.