Mitchell + Corti Architects designed a striking extension with recycled stone cladding, all on a tight budget. The project began with a simple brief: spatial reconfiguration and the addition of a rear extension to a Victorian Kensal Rise terraced house. The clients, both historians, gave @mitchellandcorti two key brief requirements: firstly that the house should address the connection to the sunken garden, and secondly the need for a dedicated space to host an impressive book collection.

A tight budget, tired-looking property and fabulous proportions gave life to a special project, featuring a circular skylight, vast bookcase, bespoke tile patterns and fun accents. As one approaches the garden, the floor to ceiling bookcase, situated in a sunken area within the open plan living space, further emphasised by a large circular skylight, accentuates the remarkable height of the room. Continuous creative support from the client, a conscious desire for sustainability and strict budget limitations, led M+C to define the project aesthetic with an approach centred around minimal intervention. The use of dark paint, contrasting colours, sustainable or reused materials and fittings was applied throughout.

The rear extension which also presents a distinct pattern, is clad in compressed reconstituted natural basalt panels, an environmentally friendly and sustainable weatherproof product. The distinctive black and white approach to decoration and finishes was used to detail the extension and interiors with the exception of touches of orange and blue, colours found in the original stained glass panel in the refurbished front door. Standard format black and white tiles were used to develop and explore bespoke patterns, once more adding fun moments to otherwise everyday spaces. Every corner of the home was planned in detail, while trying to find design touches both simple and cost effective.