CLAY HOUSE
When we were approached to transform this ground floor one bedroom flat in Kentish Town into a bright and modern two bedroom flat, it was a very dark and damp space which lacked flow and visual connection.
The bedroom and bathroom were both at the rear of the property with the kitchen and living room space at the front. This created the awkward result of having to walk through the bedroom to reach the garden.
It was very important to us that the new space reflect the character of the client and her way of living – to create a space for entertaining and socializing as well as a peaceful garden for this aspiring landscape designer. She was also very mindful of repurposing what she had and making sustainable choices.
The property had a lot of constraints – namely boundary issues with neighbours and flat above, overlooking and overshadowing concerns and being in a Conservation Area. The priority was for maximising space and natural light while using the garden as an extension of the flat by bridging the connection between the inside and out. It became apparent that with a simple side extension, we could open up the plan, retain the existing rear extension but improve it thermally and visually.
We brought the living space to the rear and bedrooms towards the front of the flat, essentially flipping the original layout of the flat and adding a bedroom. This created a strong connection with the garden, increased by the use of a large pivot door. The microcement wetroom and WC have been positioned as two “pods” at the centre on either side of the main circulation, but the use of the courtyard enables natural light to reach further into the plan and ensure a look out onto the outdoors from all the rooms.
A lot of work has been done to increase the breathability of the skin of the building. This was mainly done by using a sustainable and naturally porous material which helps regulate humidity. The use of clay plaster externally adds warmth to the home while complementing the existing brickwork, using a natural palette which picks up the tones of London stock bricks of the surrounding terrace, blending seamlessly the existing and the new together. We deliberately chose different colour for the three piers and the band above the opus, marking the boundary between the ground floor and the existing flat above.
As in most London flats, the lack of storage space has meant that the new bespoke joinery had to work very hard to provide shelf spaces as well as hide items such as a boiler and utility space. The oak, which is the prevalent material in the spaces, adds warmth to the home while helping to further the connection with the garden.
The landscape scheme which was also designed by us was about offering different areas and layers to the space with planting framing the view. A sense of calm is achieved by this as well as the use of gravel like in zen gardens and the clay plaster which is again present here on the planters. The extension is materially and formally grounded and understands its context
Location: Kentish Town, London
Budget: <200k
Status: Completed July 2024
Team: North Pole construction Contractors / Watson Structure / Peter Molloy Photographer
Press
Project Overview
Clay House is a residential renovation and extension project located in Kentish Town, London, on Falkland Road. The project involved transforming a one-bedroom flat into a two-bedroom home for Sophie, a young entrepreneur. The renovation, which began in December 2022 and was completed in July 2024, aimed to improve light, space, and overall livability while addressing significant structural and moisture issues.
Initial Challenges
When we first visited the flat, it was in poor condition: dark, damp, and lacking connection to the garden. The bathroom had no natural ventilation, and the bedroom suffered from mold and leaks from the flat above. The layout felt cramped, with the living space facing the street rather than the garden, limiting natural light and outdoor access. Additionally, as the property is within a conservation area, planning restrictions posed challenges in modifying the structure.
Design Approach & Solutions
Our primary goal was to eliminate moisture-related issues while creating a bright, contemporary home suited to Sophie’s lifestyle. To achieve this, we reimagined the layout by relocating the living and kitchen areas to the rear, establishing a seamless connection to the garden through large pivot doors and a roof light. A new side courtyard was introduced to bring additional daylight into the newly positioned bedroom and bathroom. While initial plans included a rear extension, planning constraints limited us to a side extension—a change that ultimately preserved more of the garden, aligning with Sophie’s passion for landscape design.
Materials & Construction
A key aspect of the project was ensuring the building remained breathable. We opted for clay plaster (Clayworks) for the exterior to allow moisture control, complementing the existing London stock brick. Internally, a palette of timber, soft sage greens, and off-white tones created a calm, natural aesthetic. The bathroom and WC were separated for better circulation, with microcement finishes enhancing a spa-like feel. To maximize space, we incorporated pocket doors and a curved feature wall in the entrance corridor, maintaining an open and inviting atmosphere.
Structurally, significant steelwork was required to support the flats above and create the open-plan rear extension. A major technical challenge was integrating this steel within the existing ceiling level to avoid drop-down bulkheads, ensuring a seamless transition between spaces.
Overcoming Planning & Neighbour Concerns
Navigating conservation area restrictions required careful negotiation with planners and neighbors. Initially, our rear extension proposal was rejected, leading us to refine the design to focus on the side extension. Concerns from the upstairs neighbor about rooflight positioning were addressed through 3D modeling, demonstrating that privacy would not be compromised.
Sustainability & Energy Efficiency
The renovation significantly improved energy efficiency. The entire flat was internally insulated to modern standards, and the extension was tanked to prevent rising damp. Underfloor heating was installed in the new extension and bathrooms, providing both comfort and energy savings.
Final Outcome
The completed Clay House is a testament to thoughtful design, overcoming structural and planning challenges to create a bright, spacious, and functional home. The highlight is the large pivot door, which seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor spaces—a feature Sophie initially hesitated about but now considers a favorite element of the home. The use of natural materials and strategic lighting ensures a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfectly suited to her lifestyle and future aspirations in landscape design.