On a quiet residential street in Crouch End, London, Erbar Mattes has restructured and enlarged the floorplan of an Edwardian family home—creating a bright, light wood interior that opens onto a small but verdant garden.
Through a limewashed brick and glass extension, Erbar Mattes has given the home more space and flexibility. Where previously the ground floor was concentrated around the front of the house, the renovation of the space has shifted this focus to the property’s rear and garden. “The deep plan was maximized by creating two complimentary living spaces”, the architects explain, “an active rear ‘garden room’ and a calm enclosed drawing room.” The garden room is decorated with built in furniture crafted from oak and concrete, giving continuity to the space despite its myriad uses as a kitchen, dining room and play area. To make the most of the afternoon sun in this space, the architects installed a skylight along a former boundary wall, and bifold doors that open onto a herringbone brick patio and raised grass area.
All images © Ståle Eriksen
