Wimbledon Village | SW19
Contemporary Extension & Refurbishment of Arts and Crafts House in Wimbledon Village
This project involved the remodelling, refurbishment, and extension of a locally listed Arts and Crafts-style house in Wimbledon Village, originally built in 1907. The 2.5-storey detached property features notable period details including curved roofs, circular bay windows, and large chimneys, characteristic of the work of Charles Voysey, whose influence is evident throughout.
The house retains much of its original exterior and is set within mature, landscaped gardens. However, a dominant 20th-century garage had been added, clashing with the architectural language of the main house. Our clients’ brief was to create more functional living space, improve the connection to the garden, and integrate the garage more cohesively into the overall design.
Rather than mimic the existing architecture, we designed a clearly contemporary side extension in an underused area of the garden. This strategy allowed the original house to remain visually distinct and historically legible, unlike earlier interventions, which had obscured its Arts and Crafts character. The new addition houses a light-filled, open-plan kitchen and dining area, with an adjacent utility room.
Large roof lights and sliding aluminium doors flood the space with natural light and open it directly to the garden, enhancing the relationship between inside and out. We also reconfigured the ground floor with larger internal openings between rooms to create a more open, flexible, and family-friendly layout.
Part of our remit was to reverse unsympathetic alterations and restore the house’s original detailing. We conducted in-depth research to identify appropriate materials and construction methods and worked closely with the local planning and conservation officers. Following detailed submissions and consultation, planning consent was granted for the full proposal.
The garage was rebuilt in a style that is sympathetic yet subordinate to the main house, supporting the aesthetic integrity of the property without competing with it.