An existing 1 bedroom studio located between Streatham and Tooting Bec was woefully under sized at only 33m2.   The existing bedroom was of an awkward layout of which a double bed was pushed hard up against a wall, the kitchen area was very small with limited appliances and generally lacked light.  The site is heavily overlooked and partially connected to an existing set of 9 flats.  The proposals were to extend the rear of the property and drop the entire ground floor by 1.2m to form a half level basement.  Access would still be provided at street level but the accommodation is flipped.  2no Bedrooms, one with en-suite were provided at lower ground floor level.  Both bedrooms had access to a very private courtyard area and enough space was still retained to allow for bathroom and utility area below the stairs.  Upstairs at 1st floor (upper ground) an open plan Kitchen with living and dining area was encapsulated with windows, in particular a large bi-fold window across most of the living/dining area to give a sense of outside space whilst still being at 1st floor without a terrace.  The plans also incorporated a double height space within the entrance area to immediately create drama and light as soon as you enter the property.  The existing 1 bedroom studio at 33m2 has been transformed into a spacious, bright, modern house at 70m2.  Externally, this difficult site needed to be assessed carefully to ensure the scale and massing were treated sensitively and paying particular attention to the facades for oultook and privacy.  Proposed materials included London stock brick to match the local materials and black aluminium windows with a black aluminium window lining detail to the perimeter to enhance the depth of the window reveal.  The property is finished with a green roof to compliment the surrounding communal gardens and sit well within the street and local vernacular.

Lower Ground Floor Plan

1. Private Courtyard
2. Master Bedroom
3. Hall
4. En-suite
5. Bathroom
6. Bedroom
7. Entrance

Upper Ground/First Floor Plan

1. Void forming double height space
2. Kitchen
3. Living/Dining Area
4. views onto courtyard below