The family wanted to add a fourth bedroom to the house, but were unable to extend upwards due to the constraints of living in a conservation area. They also sought to relocate the kitchen – where they spent most of their family time – from the front to the rear, embracing the view of the adjacent woods. The family spends lots of time relaxing in the garden, so the new space had to easily extend into an outdoor kitchen.
It was paramount for the extension to have a light ecological impact that would avoid disturbing the garden’s abundant wildlife, including foxes, squirrels, birds, and bats. The structure was designed as a simple rectangular form that subtly extends from the existing home into the forested surroundings.
Working with Solus Area Sales Manager Mark Ayliffe, architects from A Small Studio chose our Stonework range in 300x600x10.8mm, fabricated into 50x600x10.8mm pieces and step tread pieces for the kitchen floor. They had these cut into 50mm strips so that they could be laid internally while matching the external clay pavers when the sliding door was open, and the two surfaces meet.
Helena Rivera of A Small Studio told us, “The Maxton shade of Stonework matched the clay pavers perfectly. Stonework is our preferred floor in the studio for kitchen flooring. It has a great uneven colour finish that means it is not too stark and weathers well with the space. The matt finish means it is not too reflective and softens the spaces. In this instance the step tread pieces were perfect for an indoor step that the kitchen has, which could be a trip hazard if it isn’t clearly visible.”
The client is delighted with the results, “Our quality of life as a family has improved because we spend so much time together cooking in the kitchen and BBQing outside….and with this new design we are much more connected to the woodlands. I like being able to view the birds using my binoculars whist I am cooking in the kitchen – what a luxury to have this diversity in the heart of London!” Hernando Alvarez.
We asked Helena why she chose to work with Solus on this project.
“We have worked with Solus for about seven years now and it is all down to the fantastic relationship we have with Mark Ayliffe and Andrea Luckett. They both take care of us ensuring we receive samples quickly and prices efficiently. When something is out of stock, Mark immediately suggests alternatives and they are usually spot on. He knows the European market very well and can explain to suggest products with technical expertise (for example on installation or grip rating), as well as conceptually (on what might work in a space based on our other finishes). Even though we are a small practice working on small project under 500k, Mark has never made us feel unimportant or ‘not worth his time’, which does happen often with some of the competitor suppliers. Basically, if we find a ceramic we like, we know that Mark will usually be able to supply it via Solus.”
The project has also received recognition from the A&D community in the form of an award from New London Architecture. A great result for everyone!
Architect: A Small Studio
Photography: Manuel Vásquez
