A Grand Intervention
Private House, Chelsea
This project involves extensive refurbishment and extension for a large semi-detached property in Chelsea. The house had previously been modified several different times resulting in disorganized circulation and cellularised spaces.
Threefold Architects proposed an overall rationale to the layouts and circulation, which simplify the spaces and ensure that as much natural light is channelled into the dark centre of the house as possible.
The staircase is moved from its current location, directly in front of the door to the center of the building footprint. A full width vertical circulation route, with lightweight stair and bridge, encourages natural light from above and from the windows at the rear to illuminate the central portion of the house.
A three-storey extension is created at the rear of the house, enabling the ground floor room at the rear to become a galleried space overlooking the triple height dining area. The first floor rear room overlooks the large void over the dining room through Juliet balconies in the existing window openings, which are enclosed by the extension glazing. The principle formal living room occupies the full width of the house at first floor. On the second floor there are two en-suite guest rooms. The master suite occupies the full third floor in a contemporary glazed roof extension, including large dressing room en-suite bathroom and private terrace with outdoor shower.