Gerrard Road is an outstanding refurbishment and remodelling of a Grade II listed townhouse in Islington, and demonstrates Neil Dusheiko Architects’ sensitive approach to working with historic buildings. The house, which was originally built in the 1840s, has been carefully adapted to suit modern living, with period features sitting comfortably alongside stylish contemporary interventions. With a focus on family life and entertaining, the project sees the creation of a striking rooftop pavilion and the adaptation of an underused basement to create additional outdoor space.
The original home is an elegant terraced house, and typical of many early Victorian homes built across north London. Although its interiors were dated and in need of modernisation, some period features had survived, including two vaulted stores tucked beneath the pavement which would have originally been used as coal and timber cellars. Previous owners had created a rooftop terrace and extension: while providing useful additional space this was an incongruous and poor quality addition that detracted from the rest of the house.
A key design driver was the improvement of circulation and flow throughout the house to suit contemporary living, and to maximise the use of all available space. On the lower ground level, a cramped and cellular arrangement was opened up by removing some internal partitions to create a large open plan family kitchen and dining area. Glazed folding doors open from the kitchen onto what was a gloomy lightwell, now re-purposed as a cosy outdoor dining room. The former cellars have been brought back into use as valuable storage space.
On the principal floors, Neil Dusheiko Architects have carefully restored and enhanced each room’s original proportions and character. Where possible window openings to the rear of the house have been enlarged to bring more daylight in, and poorly-considered additions such as a shower room adjacent to the main living area have been stripped out. Great care has been taken to restore or reinstate features such as period fireplaces, sash windows, plaster mouldings and ironmongery, and these are now juxtaposed with crisp new joinery that helps to restore the interiors’ sense of balance and spatial harmony. New bathrooms throughout the home are bold and luxurious – providing a pleasing contrast with the restored period character of the house – and a new WC tucked into the staircase is an excellent example of how Neil Dusheiko Architects have made best use of every conceivable space.
Towards the top of the house, a functional loft staircase has been replaced with beautiful bespoke handmade stairs, which lead onto the radically transformed top floor. Here the modern extension has been entirely overhauled to create a stunning rooftop pavilion, with a new roof and crisp zinc cladding. Full width glazed doors open onto a stone-paved terrace: a wonderful private outdoor space for relaxation or entertainment.
