Gruff Architects were approached to refurbish this Victorian semi in the Brockley Conservation Area, when the owners returned home after spending a period of time in Sydney.

They were keen to renovate and refurbish their home to incorporate the outside lifestyle and interaction with outside space they had experienced whilst abroad. They also wanted to incorporate aspects of their mixed heritage into the design, influences of Malaysia, Britain and Australia.

In order to meet this brief, the design focuses on a centrally planted courtyard between the original house and new extension. The courtyard links all the rear spaces together by bringing natural light and greenery into the heart of the building. Working with Michael Coley Garden Design, the planting features neutral, evergreen and hardy plants for longevity as well as a large tree fern to add focus.

The design includes a side and rear extension providing the house with a second living area at the rear which interacts directly with the garden and an open plan kitchen and dining area.

All these spaces have a view of both the internal courtyard and the rear garden and gain light from the courtyard and the long frameless rooflight running the length of the new side extension. This rooflight is elegantly detailed, framed with a timber reveal and sitting on top of the vaulted ceiling of the dining and living area which diffuses the light around the space.

Half of the rear wall is set back where the kitchen is located and at the junction of this inset there is a section of corner glazing which cuts into the centre of the building drawing in direct sunlight and more visible planting from the purpose built window box.

The existing secondary reception room becomes a study space which looks out on to the internal courtyard and provides a visual relationship between both the existing and new architecture as well as the internal and external environments all year round, without the need to open doors or windows.

In warm weather,  the timber glazing allows for the space to be opened up to the planted areas and encourages cross-ventilation to naturally cool the home.

A combination of natural timbers, exposed grey brickwork and pockets of glazing appear both inside and out, blurring the thresholds and creating a calming environment. New openings combined with glazed partitions, create a light and inviting environment across the whole house.