Shoestring House

Creating real living space for a family on a shoestring budget.

Located within the Telegraph Hill Conservation Area, this end-of-terrace house had an awkward box of an extension randomly tacked onto the rear. The existing layout was a labyrinth of small spaces forcing the family to live separately, so the main consideration for the cost-conscious project was to create a principal living area for a family of four, and their dog.

Rationalising the space by essentially creating one large open plan area for the family to be able to cook, eat and relax together was a simple move that required careful consideration of how to bring natural daylight into the space, while simultaneously proposing a design suitable for the stringent Conservation Area. Originally articulated as a “hat” to sit on the garden wall, the roof is arranged around a large central roof light to create a bright but private interior for the family to enjoy together.

Photos by Christian Brailey