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Under the Eaves: A Brick House Reinvention in South London by Simon Astridge

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Remodel & Renovation

Under the Eaves: A Brick House Reinvention in South London by Simon Astridge

May 13, 2019

Architect Simon Astridge is best known for is his Plywood House, a South London row house that he resuscitated by weaving three additions into the existing framework (see Raw Materials in a Cost-Conscious Victorian Remodel). Right across the street, he and his team have left their mark on another abode. This one, a humble, single-story yellow brick house, circa 1900, required a total reinvention for a young family wanting space and light. Astridge’s solution? A trio of extensions clad in matte black zinc give the pitched-roof structure a bold new look—and a sun-drenched interior that the firm unified in a palette of navy, white, and brick. Here’s a look at the highlights.

Photography by Rory Gardiner, courtesy of Simon Astridge Architecture Workshop.

In the back of the house, in place of a small porch (scroll to the bottom for a Before shot), Astridge built a 350-square-foot kitchen/sitting area extension with an accordion steel-frame door that opens onto the terrace and garden.
Above: In the back of the house, in place of a small porch (scroll to the bottom for a Before shot), Astridge built a 350-square-foot kitchen/sitting area extension with an accordion steel-frame door that opens onto the terrace and garden.

Astridge worked with his clients as they were house hunting, and the purchase was made with the new guise in mind.

On the roof, two standing-seam metal additions extend the master bedroom and bath. The color was selected to work with the dark gray of the neighboring rooflines.
Above: On the roof, two standing-seam metal additions extend the master bedroom and bath. The color was selected to work with the dark gray of the neighboring rooflines.

Thinking of your own metal roof? It’s the material of choice for members of the Remodelista & Gardenista Architect/Designer Directory: See Hardscaping 101: Standing Steam Metal

In the kitchen, a wall of reclaimed London stock brick matches the brick on the exterior. The new structure has exposed steel supports and I-beams that are spray-painted burgundy. Also note the “frameless” double-glazed roof window.
Above: In the kitchen, a wall of reclaimed London stock brick matches the brick on the exterior. The new structure has exposed steel supports and I-beams that are spray-painted burgundy. Also note the “frameless” double-glazed roof window.
Astridge describes the south-facing kitchen as a “good sun trap.” The design is the Bulthaup B3 with a floor-standing, stainless-steel-topped island and cabinets in blue laminate. The stools are from Habitat and the range hood is by Siemens (for ideas, see 10 Easy Pieces: Ceiling-Mounted Kitchen Hoods).
Above: Astridge describes the south-facing kitchen as a “good sun trap.” The design is the Bulthaup B3 with a floor-standing, stainless-steel-topped island and cabinets in blue laminate. The stools are from Habitat and the range hood is by Siemens (for ideas, see 10 Easy Pieces: Ceiling-Mounted Kitchen Hoods).
The refrigerator is concealed on the storage wall, which has door pulls made from bent copper plumbing pipes.
Above: The refrigerator is concealed on the storage wall, which has door pulls made from bent copper plumbing pipes.
Michael Anastassiades’s String Light Cone Pendants serve as sculptural lighting.
Above: Michael Anastassiades’s String Light Cone Pendants serve as sculptural lighting.
Wood-paneled stairs lead to the four bedrooms Astridge was able to jigsaw into the new upper floor.
Above: Wood-paneled stairs lead to the four bedrooms Astridge was able to jigsaw into the new upper floor.
The stairwell roof light.
Above: The stairwell roof light.

If you’re considering paneling, take a look at our Ultimate Wood Paneling Guide.

The whitewashed paneling continues in the under-the-eaves master bedroom, which integrates one of the roof extensions. A recess in the paneling takes the place of a headboard.
Above: The whitewashed paneling continues in the under-the-eaves master bedroom, which integrates one of the roof extensions. A recess in the paneling takes the place of a headboard.
The skylight in the roof is also paneled. The copper sconce was chosen for contrast. For something similar, consider the Benny Frandsen Ball Copper Wall Lamp.
Above: The skylight in the roof is also paneled. The copper sconce was chosen for contrast. For something similar, consider the Benny Frandsen Ball Copper Wall Lamp.
The en-suite blue-and-white master bath makes use of standard white tile in three sizes: the smallest on the sink wall, medium on the floor, and the largest on the central wall, all with gray grout.
Above: The en-suite blue-and-white master bath makes use of standard white tile in three sizes: the smallest on the sink wall, medium on the floor, and the largest on the central wall, all with gray grout.

It has his-and-hers Vola Shower Heads and for privacy is entirely lit by a frameless central roof light that opens electronically for ventilation.

The room is divided into two halves by a tiled walk-around wall with a cast concrete sink made by the contractor, who also fabricated the medicine cabinets (reflected in the right is the WC clad in royal blue rubber flooring).
Above: The room is divided into two halves by a tiled walk-around wall with a cast concrete sink made by the contractor, who also fabricated the medicine cabinets (reflected in the right is the WC clad in royal blue rubber flooring).

“All sanitary ware specified was white and blue, even down to the towel pegs,” says Astridge. Both are by Vola; the Wall-Mounted Mixer Faucet comes in 18 colors and finishes.

A cross-section plan details the new flow: a small living area in the front of the house, three bedrooms on the middle floor, and the master bedroom and bath incorporated into the roof and extensions.
Above: A cross-section plan details the new flow: a small living area in the front of the house, three bedrooms on the middle floor, and the master bedroom and bath incorporated into the roof and extensions.

Before

In a prior renovation, a glassed-in narrow porch had been tacked onto the back of the house.
Above: In a prior renovation, a glassed-in narrow porch had been tacked onto the back of the house.

Here are three more Simon Astridge Architecture Workshop designs:

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