Historic charm meets modern edge - meet the Pine House Parasite
Nestled in the heart of Wanstead, we have breathed new life into this historic home. A spectacular extension and refurbishment provide an exciting and functional family home.
Frustrated by the poor layout of their existing kitchen, a lack of connection to the dining area and with the utility room sitting at the most precious point of the house, our clients reached out to us for help to unlock the potentials of their house.
A convoluted rear extension has been replaced with a multi-faceted rear and side infill extension. The new side infill extension at ground floor level makes use of the impractical space left under the existing first floor side extension. The faceted roof rises up to meet a dramatic skylight at its highest point.
An expanded bronze-anodised mesh facade and roof envelop the existing building like a parasite, creating a mesmerizing interplay of light and shadow. This fascinating geometry is achieved using a sustainable timber frame construction.
This timber construction is also reflected internally: Warm marine plywood and bespoke cabinetry create a sense of inviting intimacy. Bespoke joinery is carefully inserted into and wrapped around the newly crafted spaces. This is complemented by a concrete floor and cleverly positioned maroon elements.
The new, generous kitchen is filled with natural light and provides the perfect setting for the owners, who are passionate cooks. An open-able bi-folding glass corner connects the kitchen with the beautiful garden. Large landscape windows enable a full view of outdoors from all corners of the room. A geometric red stone island and breakfast bar is the monolithic focal point of the stunning interior.
The existing historic house has been fully refurbished internally. Improved room layouts on the first and second floor future proof the house further whilst adding subtle elegance. Four new bathrooms are a sanctuary of serene luxury. Large format concrete tiles are juxtaposed with linear maroon ones. Like downstairs, plywood surfaces can be found throughout, to add warmth.
The same language continues into the garden where concrete re-lines the existing landscape creating geometric steps into the garden and a pathway been the main house and an outhouse. An existing, worn down and unassuming outbuilding has been thermally upgraded and dramatically revamped, to become a corresponding outhouse; a space transformed into something special and of multi-functional use.
There is an inbuilt bar, a gym area, a lounge, a work place and a generous window with a built-in seating area from which one can look back onto the main house. The expanded mesh facade mirrors that of the main house extension.
At night both buildings can be illuminated giving them a different appearance. Behind the metal mesh sits the maroon-coloured water proofing. Once illuminated the colour starts to filter through in a near mystical manner. The building's appearance changes as one moves due to the combination of the facets and mesh openings.
