Asked by a couple with a baby and a toddler to renovate their two-floor “maisonette” in a London Victorian, architect Larissa Johnston responded by turning the place upside down: The bedrooms, formerly sequestered on the ground floor, were moved up a flight. Meanwhile, the kitchen and living room got transplanted on the garden level, where they could be linked to the previously hard-to-access courtyard. The aim, she says, was to “create a spacious, light, and modern family home.” And that required Johnston to not only shift the floor plan but also to rethink just about every existing detail. Come see her light and airy results.
Photography by Rory Gardiner, styling by Emma Lynne Archer, courtesy of Larissa Johnston Architects.
Within the open space, Johnston introduced a “carefully crafted linear plywood box,” ingeniously fitted to contain the kitchen and the stairs, as well as a series of shelves and storage units.
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Take a look at three more clean-lined remodels of historic structures:
- Lessons in Reinvention: A Victorian Girls’ School Reborn
- Simon Astridge’s Plywood House
- Architect Visit: The Strange House in London
Frequently asked questions
What is the theme of the London Victorian Townhouse Remodel?
The theme of the London Victorian Townhouse Remodel is modern and clean-lined.
Who is the architect responsible for the remodel?
Larissa Johnston Architects is the architect responsible for the remodel of the London Victorian Townhouse.
What type of material was used for the interior designing?
Birch Plywood was used for the interior designing of the London Victorian Townhouse.
What was the objective behind the remodel?
The objective behind the remodel was to modernize and redesign the townhouse in a way that preserves its Victorian roots and heritage.
What was the biggest challenge faced during the remodel?
The biggest challenge faced during the remodel was to balance the modern design with the classical heritage of the townhouse.
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